ICC U19 World Cup : West Indies become last team to book quarter-final berth

Defeat Zimbabwe in controversial circumstances to finish second in Group C.

DUBAI: West Indies took the last quarter-final spot in the U19 World Cup with a thrilling, but controversial, two-run win over Zimbabwe on Tuesday that allowed them to finish second in Group C behind England.

Zimbabwe, chasing West Indies’ 226-9, began the last over needing just three runs to win with one wicket in hand amid mounting tension.

But, West Indies seamer Keemo Paul whipped off the bails before sending down the first ball, catching non-striker Richard Ngarava out of his crease. The decision was referred to the TV umpire who declared Ngarava run-out.



The last-wicket incident proved an anti-climax to what had been an absorbing do-or-die contest between two valiant teams attempting to nail a quarter-final berth.

Zimbabwe, in their run-chase, were reduced to 147-6 following a four-wicket haul by fast bowler Alzaari Joseph, before Adam Keefe (43) and Wesley Madhevere (21) led a remarkable fightback by adding 62 runs for the seventh wicket.

Shamar Springer, who had top-scored with 61 in the West Indies innings, turned his team’s hero with the ball by dismissing both batsmen to finish with 2-16 in four overs.



Meanwhile, Bangladesh topped Group A with an eight-wicket demolition of second-placed Namibia, ending the match in one session itself, while South Africa finished third in the same group after a 10-wicket rout of Scotland, the first win in the tournament for skipper Tony de Zorzi’s men.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka eye top spot

Pakistan will be looking to top Group B when they take on Sri Lanka in the last league match in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have registered two wins from as many games and sit on four points each. However, Sri Lanka, who have a better net-run-rate — +2.290 as compared to Pakistan’s +1.232, occupy top spot.

The winner of the tie would secure top spot and would face a relatively easier path to the semi-final as they take on second-placed West Indies, rather than Group C toppers England, in the quarter-final.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2016.

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