United Arab Emirates showed exactly how much of a threat they will be in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup after upsetting New Zealand on the second day of warm-up matches in South Africa. The two sides played out a one-wicket thriller in Johannesburg but that wasn’t the only exciting preparation match as Bangladesh and Australia tied their game in Pretoria.
A stunning bowling performance from Charlie Peet led Scotland to victory over Japan while there was also victory for West Indies, who beat Canada by three wickets.
LAST-WICKET PAIR HELP UAE WIN THRILLER
The United Arab Emirates fired an early warning shot ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, beating New Zealand by one wicket in a thrilling warm-up match at St Stithians College.
Muhammad Farazuddin blazed a brilliant 37 not out off 18 balls, to take his side home in startling fashion with a 31-run partnership for the last wicket alongside Chathiyan Dashan (three not out)
The young Black Caps – seemingly set to be one of the dark horses in the tournament – had struggled for early partnerships, with wickets tumbling around opener Rhys Mariu (56).
Akasha Tahir was accurate in a new ball spell of one for 11 in four overs, and he received good back-up from the change bowlers.
It wasn’t until Beckham Wheeler-Greenall (41) and Simon Keene (40) provided some late spirit that the Kiwis had a target to defend, the innings closing on 217 for nine after 50 overs.
And defend it they very nearly did, once they had breached the terrific opening pair of Aryan Lakra (46) and Vriitya Aravind (53) who notched a first-wicket stand of 92 in 22.3 overs.
When the ninth wicket fell, 31 runs were still needed off just 16 balls but Farazuddin and his powerful finish took UAE home, giving them a magnificent shot of adrenaline ahead of their tournament opener on January 18.
BANGLADESH PRODUCE LATE HEROICS TO TIE WITH AUSTRALIA
Bangladesh pulled off a late comeback to dramatically tie their ICC U19 World Cup warm-up fixture against Australia in Pretoria.
Chasing Bangladesh’s impressive tally of 250 for six from 43 overs, the Australians were bowled out for exactly 250 when tail-ender Todd Murphy was run out by Shahadat Hossain attempting the winning run off the final ball.
Bangladesh had contained Australia thanks to a masterful bowling performance from Shoriful Islam (four for 39) and Tanzid Hasan (two for 27).
Shoriful was key as the last three wickets fell in the final 15 balls while Sam Fanning (46), Corey Kelly (44) and Lachlan Hearne (41) top scored for Australia.
Bangladesh, having elected to bat, saw three players post half-centuries with Parvez Hossein Emon, Tawhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain all scoring well in a match reduced in overs due to inclement weather.
Shamim’s top score of 59 not out off 33 balls contained three fours and three sixes.
PEET’S SUPERB SIX HELPS SCOTLAND DEFEAT JAPAN
A remarkable spell of bowling by Charlie Peet saw Scotland overwhelm newcomers Japan by 256 runs in their warm-up match at St John’s College.
Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first, amassing a total of 325 all out, in 47.2 overs.
Much of that was down to a second-wicket partnership of 126 between Tomas Mackintosh (103 retired) and Ben Davidson, who weighed in with 75. In reply, Japan were still getting to grips with the novelty of bouncy turf wickets, struggling to play their natural game and being bowled out for 69. Captain Marcus Thurgate was the only real resistance for the young Japanese side, with a determined 33 from 47 balls.
Beyond him, however, the Scottish attack heaped on the pressure, with the ten wickets falling for just 24 runs. Peet’s accurate slow bowling proved too much for the middle and lower order, and he helped himself to six wickets, conceding just two runs in 29 balls.
MORRIS KNOCK RESCUES WEST INDIES AFTER CANADA SCARE
Antonio Morris smashed a superb 96 not out as West Indies fought back and avoided a potential upset in their warm-up match with Canada.
Morris, whose knock came off 93 balls contained six fours and three sixes as Windies prevailed with 19 balls to spare.
He was ably supported by Nyeem Young (70) as the duo combined to put on a 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket as the 2016 champions narrowly avoided defeat.
At one stage, the Windies were 59 for four chasing Canada’s 271 for nine to win, with seamer Rishiv Joshi (four for 23) the pick of the bowlers for the North Americans.
Earlier, Young (four for 70) also contributed in suppressing Canada’s batting mayhem with critical wickets, albeit with a return of expensive figures. Canada, who have never progressed past the first round in the tournament, were aided by a half-century from Akhil Kumar (59) and a late blitz from Ayush Verma (42 not out) towards their competitive score.
l UAE U19s beat New Zealand U19s by one wicket @ Johannesburg
New Zealand 217-9 (50) (Rhys Mariu 56; Sanchit Sharma 2-23)
UAE 218-9 (49.3) (Vriitya Aravind 53, Aryan Lakra 46; Jesse Tashkoff 3-31)
l Bangladesh U19s tied with Australia U19s @ Pretoria
Bangladesh 250-6 (43) (Shamin Hossain 59 n.o., Tawhid Hridoy 53; Todd Murphy 2-30)
Australia 250 (43) (Sam Fanning 46, Corey Kelly 44; Shoriful Islam 4-39)
l Scotland U19s beat Japan U19s by 256 runs @ Johannesburg
Scotland 325 (47.2) (Tomas Mackintosh 103 retd out, Ben Davidson 75; Yugandhar Retharekar 2-45)
Japan 69 (31.5) (Marcus Thurgate 33; Charlie Peet 6-2)
l West Indies U19s beat Canada U19s by three wickets @ Soweto
Canada 271-9 (50) (Akhil Kumar 59; Nyeem Young 4-70)
West Indies 274-7 (46.5) (Antonio Morris 96 n.o., Nyeem Young 70; Rishiv Joshi 4-23)
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