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DHAKA, Feb 19: Outsiders Zimbabwe and Nepal staked their claims toward Super League stage of the ICC Under-19 World Cup after winning their respective matches on Thursday.
Zimbabwe, who shocked reigning champions Australia on Wednesday, ran out comfortable eight-wicket winners against Canada in their Group 'A' match at the Bogra District Stadium.
Australia not only have to beat Sri Lanka convincingly in Friday's last round of preliminary matches but also ensure that they have a better run-rate than either Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe to make the Super League stage.
Nepal, meanwhile, moved within sight of an unexpected Super League place after defeating Uganda by five wickets in Group 'B' at the M.A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.
The result means South Africa, whom the Nepalese stunned on Wednesday, must defeat England on Friday to have any hopes of progressing to the next round. New Zealand all but confirmed their Super League berth after thrashing Scotland by 240 runs at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan Ground, Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
The Kiwis's hopes of qualifying from Group 'C' now rest on India who meet hosts Bangladesh on Friday. An unlikely win for the minnows could decide the second qualifiers on net run-rate.
New Zealand's win was based around on the second-wicket partnership of 273 between Bradley-John Watling and Brad Wilson. Watling made 154 off 134 balls with the help of 17 fours and one six. Wilson was more belligerent in smashing an unbeaten 144 off 118 deliveries, striking 18 fours and two sixes as his team amassed 389 for two.
In an inconsequential Group 'D' clash at the Khulna Divisional Stadium, Ireland won their first game in the tournament with a 70-run triumph over Papua New Guinea.
Super League qualifiers Pakistan and the West Indies play on Friday to decide the group winners while Ireland and Papua New Guinea will now compete in the Plate Championship round at Chittagong from Sunday onwards.
Results:
At Bogra District Stadium:
Zimbabwe beat Canada by eight wickets.
CANADA 180-9 in 50 overs (A. Keshvani 63; T. Bastiampillai 38, G. Bastiampillai 28; P. Utseya 4-41);
ZIMBABWE 183-2 in 36.2 overs (J.G. Cameron 84 not out, S.C. Williams 35, T.M.K. Mawoyo 32).
At M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong:
Nepal beat Uganda by five wickets.
UGANDA 194 in 49.5 overs (M.K. Wambudhe 46, D.A. Musali 32; L. Lama 4-40, M. Shrestha 2-37);
NEPAL 195-5 in 48.1 overs (S.P. Gauchan 80 not out, M.K. Shrestha 30; R. Ssemanda 2-29).
At Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan Ground, Savar:
New Zealand beat Scotland by 240 runs.
NEW ZEALAND 389-2 in 50 overs (B.J. Watling 154, B. Wilson 144 not out, L. Chrisp 48);
SCOTLAND 149 in 33 overs (K. Farid 60; A. Devcich 2-8, C. Smith 2-20).
At Khulna Divisional Stadium:
Ireland beat Papua New Guinea by 70 runs.
IRELAND 212 in 49 overs (A. Riddles 37, G. Wilson 36, P. Blakeney 27, J. Pryor 25; V. Vali 4-40, L. Davai 3-24, K. Amini 2-26);
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 142 in 38.2 overs (L. Davai 31; G. Kidd 3-36, A. Riddles 2-8, A. Coulter 2-27).
Friday's fixtures:
Australia v Sri Lanka (Rajshahi Divisional Stadium); South Africa v England (Chittagong Divisional Stadium); India v Bangladesh (Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka); West Indies v Pakistan (Khulna Divisional Stadium).-Agencies
Standings
Following are the group standings at the ICC Under-19 World Cup after Thursday's matches (tabulated under played, won. lost, no result, tied, points, net run-rate):
Group 'A'
Sri Lanka 2 2 0 0 0 4 +2.11
Zimbabwe 3 2 1 0 0 4 +1.04
Australia 2 1 1 0 0 2 -0.52
Canada 3 0 3 0 0 0 -2.50
Group 'B'
England 2 2 0 0 0 4 +2.48
Nepal 3 2 1 0 0 4 -0.11
South Africa 2 1 1 0 0 2 +0.78
Uganda 3 0 3 0 0 0 -2.16
Group 'C'
India 2 2 0 0 0 4 +3.39
New Zealand 3 2 1 0 0 4 +1.75
Bangladesh 2 1 1 0 0 2 +1.77
Scotland 3 0 3 0 0 0 -5.44
Group 'D'
Pakistan 2 2 0 0 0 4 +3.18
West Indies 2 2 0 0 0 4 +1.58
Ireland 3 1 2 0 0 2 -0.33
PNG 3 0 3 0 0 0 -2.82
