Windies U-19s suffer first defeat

KHULNA: Pacer Riaz Afridi snared five wickets for Pakistan Under-19s to hand the West Indies Under-19s their first defeat in the ICC Youth World Cup (YWC) at the Khulna Divisional Stadium yesterday. In engineering the 163-run victory, Afridi picked up five for 28 off 8.3 overs as the West Indies U-19s plunged to 88 all out in 27.3 overs in reply to the Pakistanis’ 251 for nine off their 50 overs. Despite the defeat, the West Indies, who had beaten Ireland and Papua New Guinea in their earlier matches, are still in championship contention, placing second in the group to advance to the Super League.

West Indies U-19s played yesterday without their top bowler Ravi Rampaul, who is suffering from a virus that hit the West Indies camp last week. Manager Roland Sampath said Rampaul’s condition had a negative impact on the team. “We started badly by having to summon the doctor this morning for Ravi again, a little relapse in his condition. He (the doctor) recommended rest for three days. “The guys left (for the match) in a sombre mood,” Sampath told CMC Sport. Sent to bat, unbeaten Pakistan slipped to 32 for two after pacer Barrington Yearwood removed captain Khalid Latif (10) and Mervyn Matthew sent back Adnan Zaheer (10). But Jahingir Mirza (92) and Usman Saeed (40) rallied with an 86-run third-wicket partnership that provided the backbone of the innings.

Fawad Alam (25) was the next highest scorer before he was bowled by Matthew, easily the West Indies’ most economical bowler with two for 19 off 10 overs with four maidens. Left-arm spinner Rishi Bachan captured three for 49 off eight overs, and the other wicket-takers were pacers Lionel Baker (1-50) and Yearwood (1-60) and seamer Lendl Simmons (1-46). Simmons (24), Tishan Maraj (19) and captain Denesh Ramdin (17) were the only West Indies batsmen to get to double figures when they replied. “We simply have to improve our batting, as we have not been consistent enough,” Ramdin said after the defeat. “Man of the Match” Afridi was supported by Tariq Mahmood (3-18) and Mansoor Amjad (2-12) in stifling the Caribbean side’s response. West Indies will now play in Pool One of the Super League with India, South Africa, and Group “A” winners Sri Lanka, who they start against tomorrow.  Pakistan play in the second group with England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

Australia’s disappointing World Cup campaign continued yesterday when they failed to qualify for the Super League, even though they beat Sri Lanka. Bangladesh also bowed out after their heavy defeat to India, while South Africa scraped through thanks to a narrow one-wicket win against England. A three-run victory over Sri Lanka was not enough for Australia to progress to the next stage. In order to make it through, they needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 97, but were unable to. Australia finished level on points with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, but lost out because of a poorer net run rate.