Bangladesh off to bright start

Bangladesh registered a comfortable 87-run win over Namibia in a Group C clash of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in Christchurch, while Zimbabwe’s spinners made light work of Papua New Guinea with a ten-wicket victory in the Group B game in Lincoln yesterday, according to an ICC press release.

The match was reduced to a Twenty20 contest at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, with rain washing out the initial hours of play, but Bangladesh did well to restrict Namibia to 103 for 6 in response to their tally of 190 for 4.

Sent in to bat, Bangladesh rode on a blistering knock from Saif Hassan, the captain, who hit 84 off just 48 deliveries, his knock including three boundaries and five sixes. Hassan was supported by a fine knock from Mohammad Naim (60 off 43), as the duo toyed with Namibia’s bowlers on their way to a big total.

Namibia needed a good start to stay in the game, but they lost four wickets inside the first five overs to miss out on giving it a shot. Qazi Onik, the left-arm pacer, and Hasan Mamud, who bowls right-arm pace, bagged two wickets each for Bangladesh to help them waltz to a big win. Eben van Wyk managed to score 55 but, with literally no support from the other end, had no chance of making it count. In the end, Namibia were well short of their target, as Bangladesh picked up two points to get their campaign rolling.

Afghanistan v Pakistan

In the other match of  Group D, Afghanistan thrashed neighbors Pakistan by a handsome margin of five wickets. Once again Pakistan’s fragile batting was out to the task by Azmatullah and Qais Ahmad. The pair clinched 3 wickets each to down their opponents. For Pakistan, it was keeper-batsmen Rohail Nazir, who top-scored with 81. He was ably supported by Ali Zaryab.

Chasing 189 to win, Afghanistan Rahmanullah and Ikram Ali Khil gave them a steady start. After adding 38 runs, Rahmanullah departed for 31 to Hasan Khan. Ikram was joined by Darwish Rasooli. They snitched a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Mohammad Taha provided Pakistan the breakthrough getting rid of Ikram for 46. Rasooli remained unbeaten to help his side reach their target with 15 balls to spare with Azmatullah not out on 19.

New Zealand v Windies

The Windies had taken the early initiative after being put in to bat in the opening Group A match as Keagan Simmons compiled an unbeaten 92 and put on 123 runs with opening partner Kimani Melius (78). However, they were restricted by some tight bowling later on and could only manage 233 for eight.

New Zealand coasted home with more than 10 overs to spare with Jakob Bhula also knocking up 83, leaving Windies captain Emmanuel Stewart disappointed.

Zimbabwe v PNG

Opting to field first in a 20-overs-a-side competition after rain intervened at Lincoln No. 3, Zimbabwe bowled PNG out for just 95 with Wesley Madhevere (3 for 19), the offspinner, and Milton Shumba (2 for 19), the left-arm spinner, running riot.

Madhevere (53 not out) then followed it up with a half-century, leading Zimbabwe to a comfortable ten-wicket win along with Gregory Dollar (41 not out) in just 14 overs.

PNG did get a decent start with the bat, with Igo Mahuru and Simon Atai, the openers, adding 41 in eight overs. It all changed in a flash though, as they slipped to 44 for 3 in a space of five balls with Madhavare striking twice in an over.

A brief 22-run stand for the fourth wicket revived the innings but a bigger fall awaited PNG.

 

Bangladesh off to bright start

Bangladesh registered a comfortable 87-run win over Namibia in a Group C clash of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in Christchurch, while Zimbabwes spinners made light work of Papua New Guinea with a ten-wicket victory in the Group B game in Lincoln yesterday, according to an ICC press release. The match was reduced to a Twenty20 contest at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, with rain washing out the initial hours of play, but Bangladesh did well to restrict Namibia to 103 for 6 in response to their tally of 190 for 4. Sent in to bat, Bangladesh rode on a blistering knock from Saif Hassan, the captain, who hit 84 off just 48 deliveries, his knock including three boundaries and five sixes. Hassan was supported by a fine knock from Mohammad Naim (60 off 43), as the duo toyed with Namibias bowlers on their way to a big total. Namibia needed a good start to stay in the game, but they lost four wickets inside the first five overs to miss out on giving it a shot. Qazi Onik, the left-arm pacer, and Hasan Mamud, who bowls right-arm pace, bagged two wickets each for Bangladesh to help them waltz to a big win. Eben van Wyk managed to score 55 but, with literally no support from the other end, had no chance of making it count. In the end, Namibia were well short of their target, as Bangladesh picked up two points to get their campaign rolling. Afghanistan v Pakistan In the other match of Group D, Afghanistan thrashed neighbors Pakistan by a handsome margin of five wickets. Once again Pakistans fragile batting was out to the task by Azmatullah and Qais Ahmad. The pair clinched 3 wickets each to down their opponents. For Pakistan, it was keeper-batsmen Rohail Nazir, who top-scored with 81. He was ably supported by Ali Zaryab. Chasing 189 to win, Afghanistan Rahmanullah and Ikram Ali Khil gave them a steady start. After adding 38 runs, Rahmanullah departed for 31 to Hasan Khan. Ikram was joined by Darwish Rasooli. They snitched a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket. Mohammad Taha provided Pakistan the breakthrough getting rid of Ikram for 46. Rasooli remained unbeaten to help his side reach their target with 15 balls to spare with Azmatullah not out on 19. New Zealand v Windies The Windies had taken the early initiative after being put in to bat in the opening Group A match as Keagan Simmons compiled an unbeaten 92 and put on 123 runs with opening partner Kimani Melius (78). However, they were restricted by some tight bowling later on and could only manage 233 for eight. New Zealand coasted home with more than 10 overs to spare with Jakob Bhula also knocking up 83, leaving Windies captain Emmanuel Stewart disappointed. Zimbabwe v PNG Opting to field first in a 20-overs-a-side competition after rain intervened at Lincoln No. 3, Zimbabwe bowled PNG out for just 95 with Wesley Madhevere (3 for 19), the offspinner, and Milton Shumba (2 for 19), the left-arm spinner, running riot. Madhevere (53 not out) then followed it up with a half-century, leading Zimbabwe to a comfortable ten-wicket win along with Gregory Dollar (41 not out) in just 14 overs. PNG did get a decent start with the bat, with Igo Mahuru and Simon Atai, the openers, adding 41 in eight overs. It all changed in a flash though, as they slipped to 44 for 3 in a space of five balls with Madhavare striking twice in an over. A brief 22-run stand for the fourth wicket revived the innings but a bigger fall awaited PNG.