CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 24: The ICC Under-19 World Cup yielded another surprise Thursday as holders India were defeated by Bangladesh in Auckland.

The day got off to a bad start for India with opener Paul Valthaty taken to hospital suffering from a cut on his head after being struck in the face by a bouncer from Safaq Al-Zabir.

Fast bowler Ashiqur Rahman then took 3-17 as India were dismissed for just 77 over 32.4 overs.

However, the modest total was to pose a serious challenge to Bangladesh with Siddhanth Trivedi taking three wickets as India reduced their opponents to 52 for six.

Manvinder Bisla and Abhishek Sharma then took a wicket apiece as Bangladesh lurched to 64 for eight still requiring another 14 runs for victory.

Tailender Ali Arman saw his side home with a vital unbeaten 12, however, the victory was not enough to earn Bangladesh a place in the Super League, but their confidence will be sky high going into the Plate Championship next week.

In Christchurch, Sri Lanka qualified for the Super League at the expense of Zimbabwe thanks to a 62-run victory at the Hagley Oval, which was orchestrated by two fine all round performances from Jeevan Mendis and wicket-keeper Charith Sylvester.

After a delayed start due to rain Mendis was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s 206 for nine with a crafted innings of 57. Opener Sumalka Perera also hit 57.

Zimbabwe’s reply got off to a solid start with opener Charles Coventry scoring 36 but leg-spinner Mendis and Sylvester combined to undermine their opponents.

Mendis bowled superbly to take 7-19 and Sylvester claimed eight dismissals including four stumpings, all of Mendis, as Zimbabwe’s lack of discipline at the crease saw them dismissed for just 143.

In Group ‘D’, the West Indies, who along with Australia have qualified for the Super League, defeated Kenya by nine wickets.

Kenya were all out for 114 with spinner Ron Matthews doing the damage taking 4-17.

Donovan Pagon struck two sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 63, and shared a 77-run second wicket partnership with Narsingh Deonarine (32) to guide the West Indies to victory.

The final day of the first round Friday will see either Pakistan or Nepal fail to qualify for the Super League.

Thursday’s results:

Group A: Bangladesh bt India by two wickets. India 77-9 in 32.4 overs (Ashiqur Rahman 3-17); Bangladesh 78-8 in 32.2 overs (Siddarth Trivedig 3-24).

Group B: Sri Lanka bt Zimbabwe by 63 runs. Sri Lanka 206-9 in 50 overs ((Chrishanth Perera 57, Jeewan Mendis 57); Zimbabwe 143 in 44.2 overs (Charles Coventry 36).

Group D: West Indies bt Kenya by eight wickets. Kenya 114 in 34.5 overs (Gareth Matthew 4-17); West Indies 115-2 in 21 overs (Donovan Pagon 63 not out).—AFP/Reuters