17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

DHAKA, Feb 16: India toyed with Scotland to pile up a massive 425 for three on their way to a 270-run victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.

Shikhar Dhawan led the batting onslaught with an unbeaten 155 from 138 balls, striking 15 fours and one six. Fellow opener Robin Uthappa hit 97 while adding 175 in 24.1 overs with Dhawan. His 78-ball innings also included 15 fours and one.

The most explosive display came from Suresh Raina, who hammered 14 fours and two sixes on his way to 90 off just 38 deliveries. India's total in the Group 'C' fixture was the second highest in the history of the competition behind reigning champions Australia's 480 for six against Kenya in the last World Cup in New Zealand two years ago.

Scotland, in response, limped to 155 for eight. Ireland, meanwhile, almost recorded a famous win before West Indies denied them by just six runs despite a thrilling run-chase by Kevin O'Brien in a Group 'D' tie at the Khulna Divisional Stadium.

O'Brien made 95 at run-a-ball with 13 fours and one six as Ireland were restricted to 259 for nine. In other matches, Australia launched the defence of their crown with a six-wicket victory over Canada in Group 'A' at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, while South Africa eased past Uganda in Group 'B' at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

Results:

At Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka:

India beat Scotland by 270 runs.

INDIA 425-3 in 50 overs (S. Dhawan 155 not out, A.R. Uthappa 97, S. Raina 90, A.T. Rayudu 53);

SCOTLAND 155-8 in 50 overs (K.J. Coetzer 62, M.M. Iqbal 30; A. Sharma 2-31).

At Chittagong Divisional Stadium:

South Africa beat Uganda by eight wickets.

UGANDA 125 in 48.4 overs (H.S. Almuzahim 26; W. September 4-14, A. Birch 2-18, C. Alexander 2-23);

SOUTH AFRICA 126-2 in 28 overs (A. Birch 56 not out, G. Bowyer 43).

At Rajshahi Divisional Stadium:

Australia beat Canada by six wickets.

CANADA 164 in 45.1 overs (S. Anjaria 50, G. Bastiampillai 37, U. Bhatti 30 not out; S.J. Coyre 3-42, M. Henriques 2-18, T.D. Paine 2-29);

AUSTRALIA 165-4 in 28.4 overs (T.P. Doropoulos 57, K.J. Skewes 37, A.J. Crosthwaite 32 not out).

At Khulna Divisional Stadium:

West Indies beat Ireland by six runs.

WEST INDIES 265-8 in 50 overs (X.M. Marshall 83, T. Maraj 38, J.C. Augustus 30, A.B. Fudadin 29; G. Thompson 5-49, A. Riddles 3-42);

IRELAND 259-9 in 50 overs (K. O'Brien 95, G. Wilson 64; L.M.P. Simmons 2-48, L.S. Baker 2-55). -Agencies