ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004

Dhaka, 19 February 2004 - ICC Reports

Zimbabwe victory puts pressure on Australia

Zimbabwe beat Canada by eight wickets at Bogra District Stadium

Zimbabwe's comfortable victory over Canada at the Bogra District Stadium has put the pressure on reigning champions Australia ahead of the final Group A fixture in Rajshahi tomorrow. Australia must now beat Sri Lanka and ensure that it has a better net-run-rate than either or Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe to make it through to the Super League.

Zimbabwe did their chances of qualifying no harm today in restricting Canada to 180 for 9 in 50 overs and then knocking off the runs for the loss of only three wickets with 17 overs to spare. A day after claiming six wickets against Australia, Tinashe Panyangara bowled 10 wicketless overs but Prosper Utseya instead lead the attack with figures of 4 for 41.

Zimbabwe lost opener Brendon Taylor with the score on 16 but James Cameron and Sean Williams then came together to provide the foundations of an important victory. Williams was run out for 35 but skipper Tinotenda Mawoyo helped Cameron complete the win. Mawayo finished on 32 not out while man of the match Cameron was not out on 84.

The match was played in front of a third consecutive sell-out of over 15,000 ­ including 300 school children allowed in free-of-charge. This was the final ICC U/19 CWC 2004 match at the Bogra District Stadium. International cricket will return to the venue when Zimbabwe ŒA' tour the country next month.

Going into tomorrow's match in Rajshahi, Australia has a net-run-rate of -0.51 while Sri Lanka's is 2.11.

New Zealand victory sets up intriguing finale

New Zealand beat Scotland by 240 runs at the Bangladesh Sports Institute (BKSP)

New Zealand thrashed Scotland by 240 runs today at the Bangladesh Sports Institute (BKSP) to set up an intriguing final Group C match between Bangladesh and India. If the host nation can beat India at the Bangabandhu National Stadium the group will be decided on net-run-rate and New Zealand's large winning margin means even that could be tight.

Earlier in the tournament India and Bangladesh both recorded impressive victories over Scotland, so New Zealand went into today's match in need of big runs and quick wickets. After being put in, New Zealand's batsmen upheld their side of the bargin. Opener Liam Chrisp raced to 48 off 47 balls before falling lbw to Gordon Allan.

Chrisp's partner Bradley-John Watling was joined at the crease by Brad Wilson and the pair tore into Scotland's bowling attack. They put on 273 for the second wicket before Watling was caught out in the 48th over on 154. Wilson finished the innings unbeaten on 144 from 118 balls with the team score an impressive 389 for 2.

In the second innings, the New Zealand bowlers provided an equally important contribution. Five bowlers picked up wickets as Scotland struggled for runs at the picturesque venue. Wickets fell at regular intervals and only a patient innings of 60 from Kasim Farid delayed the inevitable New Zealand victory as Scotland were bowled out for 149 in 33 overs.

New Zealand team manager Kevin Pulley was pleased with the manner of the victory.

"The result was important to us today," said Pulley. "If Bangladesh beat India tomorrow, the group will come down to net-run-rate. Our batsmen got some good time at the crease today and all of our players did their bit. "It is now out of our hands and we will be watching the match tomorrow very closely indeed."

Bangladesh's match against India begins at 9am local time and will be televised around the world. If India wins, India and New Zealand will qualify for the Super League. If Bangladesh wins, three teams will be tied on four points and net-run-rate will determine which side progresses.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has offered free entry to tomorrow's match to local school children.

Nepal victory means South Africa must win

Nepal beat Uganda by five wickets at the M.A. Aziz Stadium

Nepal beat Uganda by five wickets today at the M.A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagong to set up a mouth-watering climax to Group B between South Africa and England tomorrow.

Nepal's win means that South Africa must beat England to keep their hopes of progressing to the Super League alive.

Nepal produced the shock of the tournament yesterday in beating South Africa by one wicket but were made to work hard for a second victory by a determined Uganda side.

Uganda won the toss and elected to bat, progressing to 91 for 1 off 28 overs with Kintu Wambudhe contributing 46 and Denis Musali making 32. Lakpa Lama lead the Nepal fightback picking up four wickets for 40 runs as Uganda were pegged back to 194 all out in the fiftieth over.   

                                              Nepal captain Shakti Gauchan carried on from where he left off against South Africa with a second consecutive match-winning innings. Gauchan followed yesterday's patient fifty with 80 not out to guide his side to victory with 11 balls to spare. Man of the match Gauchan was ably supported by Monick Shrestha (30) and Sharad Vesawkar (23).

Nepal must now hope England beat South Africa at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium tomorrow.

Steady Ireland outscore PNG

Ireland beat Papua New Guinea by 70 runs at the Khulna Divisional Stadium

Ireland gained its first points of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2004 with a solid team performance against Papua New Guinea at the Khulna Divisional Stadium.

Having run West Indies to the wire and performed creditably against Pakistan, Ireland went into this match as favourites. After being put into bat by PNG they made steady progress, scoring at around four-an-over from the start. Seven batsmen made double-figures but none could go on to make a telling contribution and Ireland were all out for 212 in 49 overs. Andrew Riddles top scored with 37 while opener Gary Wilson made 36. PNG's main wicket takers were Vali Vali (4 for 40) and Lahui Davai (3 for 24).

Having batted for 87 minutes for his vital 37 runs, Riddles returned to open the bowling for Ireland. Riddles' bowling contribution was equally significant as he dismissed two of PNG's top three batsmen in a five-over burst that cost only eight runs. Slow left armer Gary Kidd then took charge as Ireland mopped up the PNG lower order for 142 in 38.2 overs. Kidd finished with figures of 3 for 36 and Riddles was named man of the match. Both Ireland and PNG will now compete in the Plate Championship in Chittagong while Pakistan and West Indies ­ who face each other tomorrow ­ are already through to the Super League.

Ticket sales top 100,000 at ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Ticket sales at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004 have already topped the 100,000 mark. In the first week of the tournament, organisers have had to print extra tickets at three of the tournament venues as cricket fans have snapped up initial allocations in Bogra, Fatullah and Khulna.

Host Tournament Director Roquibul Hassan said the support of cricket fans in Bangladesh had exceeded all expectations. "We have been delighted with the response to the matches throughout the country, particularly in towns that have never hosted international matches before," said Mr Hasan. "We hope that people will continue to enthusiastically follow the tournament through to its conclusion next month." Over 21,000 tickets were sold for the Opening Ceremony in Dhaka and more than 17,000 have already been sold for matches in the capital.

Bogra leads the way in the regions with over 27,000 official tickets sold for the three matches at the Bogra District Stadium. The other Group A venue, the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, has been responsible for over 13,000 ticket sales. The Khulna Divisional Stadium ­ host to Pakistan and West Indies in Group D - has also broken the 20,000 barrier.