ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016: Day 2 Roundup

Day two of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016 succeeded in creating a few eye-catching headlines. Nepal recorded a surprising 32 run win over New Zealand in their Group D clash. Pakistan and Sri Lanka recorded regulation wins over minnows Afghanistan and Canada respectively. The Indians got a scare as they took on Australia’s replacement Ireland in the Group B encounter. However, the Indians proved too strong for the Irish with a 79 run win.

Pakistan pick-up easy win over Afghanistan

Pakistan picked up a six-wicket regulation win over minnows Afghanistan in the first Group B match. Winning the toss and opting to field first the pressure was immediately thrust by bowlers Hasan Mohsin and Sameer Gul. Tariq Stanikzai top-scored for the Afghans with 53 off 76 deliveries. A fighting knock of 27 from opener Karim Jannat and a solid contribution from wicket-keeper batsman Ikram Faizi (19) propelled Afghanistan to 126. Sadly, none of the other batsmen crossed the single figure mark. The Pakistanis reached the target with relative ease losing just 4 wickets. Replicating his heroics with the ball, Hasan Mohsin made a telling contribution with the bat. He made 28 off 36 deliveries, ensuring a Pakistan win.

Brief Scores

Afghanistan 126 all out in 41.5 overs (Tariq Stanikzai 53, Shadab Khan 4/9)

Pakistan 129/4 in 31.3 overs ( Zeeshan Malik 29, Zia-ur-Rehman 2/31)

Sri Lanka overwhelms Canada

Similar to their Asian counterparts, Sri Lanka too picked up a 196 run win over Canada. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Sri Lankans notched up a mammoth 316/6 in 50 overs. Four of the Sri Lankan top order batsmen notched up half centuries. Charith Asalanka top scored with a characteristic 76. Abdul Haseeb picked up two wickets for Canada as their bowling card said a sorry tale. The Canada batting innings too folded up in the same manner as the bowling. They were bowled out for a frugal 119 off 39 overs. Once again, four of the top Sri Lankan bowlers ended up on two wickets as teamwork prevailed in the Sri Lankan win.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 315/6 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 76, Abdul Haseeb 2/65)

Canada 119 in 39.3 overs (Arslan Khan 42*, Damitha Silva 2/16)

Nepal Shocks New Zealand

Nepal secured the headlines of the day as they secured an unbelieveable 32 run win over New Zealand. Sandeep Sunar laid the foundation with a wonderfully compiled 39. Nepal skipper Raju Rijal top-scored with a magnificent 48. Rijal and Aarif Sheikh put on a wonderful partnership, taking their side to a decent total. Kushal Bhurtel’s cameo of 35 in quick time ensured that the Nepalese had a defendable total of 238 in their 50 overs. Right-arm fast bowler Nathan Smith impressed with the ball, finishing on 3/58 off 10 overs. Instead of getting off to a decent start, the Kiwis lost their way through the innings, losing Finnie, Clarkson and Leopard in quick succession. Dale Philips (41) and Nathan Smith (24) attempted to revive the situation, but to no avail. Diprendra Airee impressed one and all with  figures of 3/24 off five overs. Nepal and New Zealand have met twice in U-19 World Cups. Incidentally and quite ironically, Nepal have triumphed both times, winning by one wicket in the 2006 edition.

Brief Scores

Nepal 238/7 in 50 overs (Raju Rijal 48, Nathan Smith 3/58)

New Zealand 206 all out in 47.1 overs (Glenn Phillips 52, Dipendra Airee 3/24)

India secure hard-fought win over Ireland

India secured their first win of the tournament following a hard-fought 79 run win over Ireland. Both sides found themselves on un-chartered territory when the Indians found themselves at 4/55 following the dismissal of Armaan Jaffer. However, some composed batting from Washington Sundar (62) and Sarfaraz Khan (74) ensured that the Indians were well and truly bailed out. Zeeshan Ansari’s 36 saw India post a respectable yet achievable total of 268/9. In reply, Lorcan Tucker (57) and William McClintock (58) notched up twin half centuries, threatening to take the game away from the Indians. However, parity prevailed as Rahul Batham’s three crucial scalps helped the Indians seal a 79 run win.

Brief Scores

India 268/9 in 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 74, Rory Anders 3/35)

Ireland 189 all out in 49.1 overs (William McClintock 58, Rahul Bantham 3/15)