Canada put in a good performance against a strong South African team at the U19 World Cup. South Africa made a massive 293/6 after batting first against Canada, led by a century from Yaseen Valli. Canada mounted a strong response, with Aurka and Kumar putting together a century 2nd wicket partnership but eventually fell 45 runs short, making 248/8.
Canada won the toss and elected to field against a South African side that won comfortably against the West Indies in the opening round of Group C games. South Africa’s bowlers and fielders did well against the West Indies but captain Aiden Markram had been disappointed his side’s batting. Clyde Fortuin was caught by Farhan Malik at the end of the second over, bowled by Abraash Khan. South Africa 9/1. But Markram, the other opening batsman, kept the scoreboard ticking along until he was caught for 31 (39 balls) by Farhan Malik off the medium pace of Talhar Shaikh. South Africa 64/2 (11.5 ov). Oldfield was run out for 14 to make it 91/3 before the hundred came up in the nineteenth over. After 25 overs South Africa was on 122/3 with Kirwin Christoffers 55 not out at the Abu Dhabi Nursery Ground No. 1. Canadian captain Nitish Kumar switched the bowlers around in a bid to stem the runs and make a breakthoughs from the seventh over onwards. Christoffers was bowled by Nikhil Dutta for 57 (134/4) at the start of the 28th over. Yaseen Valli took charge and advanced to an unbeaten 102 from 92 balls. Dutta took 3/54 to lead the bowling.
Canada’s reply was led by Sudeepta Aurka (69) and Nitish Kumar (53) who put on 101 for the second wicket, and with both out and 10 overs to go Canada still needed 93. This proved too much and wickets tumbled as 201/3 became 212/7. A late flurry from Abraash Khan and Stephan Joseph took Canada to a very respectable 248/8, Yaseem Valli completed a great all round performance with four wickets.