UAE stun West Indies in the 9th Plate Play-Off semi-final of ICC U19 World Cup

PORT OF SPAIN: United Arab Emirates (UAE) stunned West Indies by 82 runs in the 9th Place Play-Off semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, here on Friday.

Set to chase 225, West Indies bowled out for a skimpy 142; handing a massive victory by 82 runs to the UAE. Home side’s Nathan Edwards fought hard; scoring an unbeaten valiant half-century. He scored 51 off 65 balls, including five boundaries, while the rest of the batters could not manage to contribute significantly.

For UAE, Dhruv Prashar bagged four wickets, while Jash Gayanani claimed three. Aayan Afzal Khan, Ronak Panoly, and Ali Naseer struck out a batter each.

Batting first, UAE posted a commendable total of 224 despite a top-order failure, thanks to Afzal Khan’s magnificent 93. He faced 121 deliveries and smashed 11 boundaries. Shival Bawa too, chipped in with his astonishing half-century; scoring 51 off 58, laced with five boundaries and two sixes.

For the home side, Shiva Sankar picked three wickets, while Edward and Matthew Nandu took two wickets each. Anderson Mahase and McKenny Clarke struck out a batter each.

In the 13th Place Play-Off semi-final, Uganda thumped Papa New Guinea (PNG) in a low-scoring contest.

Batting first, Uganda’s batting line-up failed to post a commendable total and could only manage to score 123. Cyrus Kakuru, however, fought hard and scored a gritty 65 off 59 balls, laced with 11 boundaries but, with a lack of support from the other end. His heroics could only steer the side to 123.

For PNG, John Kariko starred; taking a five-fer, while Junior Morea, Karoho Kevau, Boio Ray, and Aue Oru shared one wicket apiece.

Set to chase a paltry 124, PNG displayed an even worse batting display and bowled for 88. Morea top-scored with his 26, while eight of their batters could not even get into the double figures.

For Uganda, Juma Miyaji took four wickets, while Joseph Baguma picked three. Matthew Musinguzi, on the other hand, bagged two.

READ: Australia thump Pakistan by 119 runs in U19 World Cup Quarterfinal