ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004

ICC releases

Dhaka, 18 February 2004 Zimbabwe destroy Australia before lunch Australia's U/19s were today thrashed by Zimbabwe by seven wickets after being bowled out for their lowest ever total in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup. After winning the toss and electing to bat at the Bogra District Stadium, Australia were skittled for only 73 as Tinashe Panyangara claimed the second-best bowling figures in the tournament's history.

The right-arm quick Panyangara claimed six wickets for 31 runs in a devastating nine-over spell. Four of his victims were caught by wicketkeeper Brendon Taylor. Elton Chingumbura picked up the remaining four wickets for 17 runs as the Australians were bowled out in 19 overs.

It was a remarkable batting collapse after Australia's openers Tim Paine (19) and Theo Doropoulos (26) had helped the reigning champions to 50 for 1 after 10 overs. Australia's other eight batsmen managed only seventeen runs between them.

A full house of 15,000 in Bogra saw Zimbabwe wrap up the match before lunch. After losing two wickets in the first three overs, Zimbabwe's batsmen consolidated and lost only one more wicket to win the match in 18 overs.

Australia must now beat Sri Lanka in Rajshahi on Friday 20 February to keep its hopes of retaining the U/19 title alive.

Zimbabwe captain Tinotenda Mawoyo: "Winning the game today was a great feeling. Our morale is now very high. We played very well today and we hope to do the same in our next matches."

Australia coach Bennett King: "Zimbabwe played very well today. Everything about their game was perfect. I can't remember a game where we have been so completely dominated."

Nepal stun South Africa with last gasp shock

Nepal beat South Africa by one wicket at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium

On a day of upsets at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup, Nepal created the biggest shock with a dramatic last-over victory against South Africa at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium. With nine wickets down Nepal needed eight runs from the last over. Their captain Shakti Gauchan rose to the challenge to hit a match-winning boundary with two balls to spare.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but from that point onwards it was Nepal's day. The South Africans were soon reeling at 12 for 4 in the seventh over. Eighteen overs later they were 62 for seven. Manjeet Shrestha did the early damage as South Africa could find no answer to his accurate right-arm fast-medium bowling. Shrestha picked up three of South Africa's top five wickets and finished with 4 for 15 from his allotted 10 overs. Shrestha was ably supported by Paras Khadka (2 for 22), Shakti Gauchan (2 for 28) and Lakpa Lama (2 for 34). Only a determined 52 not out from number nine Keegan Africa added a degree of respectability to the South Africa total. The tenth wicket fell to the final ball of the 50th over with the score on 156.

Nepal approached the target in a measured manner and progressed comfortably to 118 for 4 from 38 overs. But with victory in sight they collapsed to 139 for nine. Nepal's Shashi Kesari then came to the crease to produce the innings of his life. The number 11 not only preserved his wicket but also hit 13 from 12 balls to pave the way for his partner Gauchan in final over. Gauchan had provided the backbone of the Nepal innings, surviving at the crease for over three hours. On the fourth ball of the final over the Nepal captain crisply hit only his second boundary of the day to bring up his 50 but, more importantly, earn an historic victory for Nepal.

Nepal coach Roy Dias was delighted with the victory.

"We are very pleased to have won the match, all of our players performed well," said Dias. "We have come to this tournament with the attitude that we will treat every match like a final and that is what we did today." Even victory in the final group game against England will not necessarily guarantee South Africa's progress to the Super League.

India's bowlers thwart New Zealand

India beat New Zealand by 69 runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

New Zealand's batsmen wasted a strong platform provided by their bowlers to lose to India by 69 runs at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

New Zealand's bowlers made early inroads into India's top order after India elected to bat. The same players that had put Scotland to the sword two days earlier, found life in the middle far harder against New Zealand. After 23 overs India were reeling at 101 for 6 with swing bowler Brent Findlay the chief destroyer with figures of 4 for 36. A series of dropped catches allowed Sunny Singh to lead an Indian recovery. Singh's 68 not out boosted his side to 146 all out in 47.2 overs.

The New Zealand reply began steadily and with wickets in hand they looked to be in a dominant position at 94 for 2 from 28 overs. John Watling and Brad Wilson were both well-set but then Wilson holed out to Sunny Singh at long-on for 29 and Watling was run out for 56. New Zealand's remaining batsmen then crumpled to 146 all out.

Despite a second consecutive win, India's coach Robin Singh believes his side can still improve. "The team could have scored 260 to 270 runs. The pitch was a good batting strip but the batsmen played too many loose shots," said Singh. "The bowlers bowled well but there is still scope for improvement - the spinners bowled too fast."

Sunny Singh was named Man of the Match.

"I was lucky, I was given two or three lives," said Singh. I capitalized on the dropped chances and initially concentrated on taking singles. I was pleased with the final result."

India is now top of Group C but must still beat Bangladesh on Friday to be certain of a place in the Super League.

West Indies too strong for PNG

West Indies beat Papua New Guinea by 152 runs at the Khulna Divisional Stadium

West Indies strolled to a 152-run victory over Papua New Guinea in Khulna to secure a safe passage to the Super League. The West Indies top order ensured the match against Papua New Guinea was effectively over by the end of the first innings.

Centuries from Tishan Maraj (117) and Lendl Platter-Simmons (107) and fifties from Xavier Marshall (52) and Assad Fudadin (59 not out) were the key contributions to a formidable total of 371 for 3 in 50 overs. In reply Papua New Guinea batted out 44.2 of their 50 overs to reach 219 all out. Asad Vala was their most impressive performer, ending the match not out on 84.

Maraj was named Man of the Match.

The win for West Indies means that Pakistan have also qualified for the Super League from Group D before the final round of matches.