A commanding victory by Afghanistan was the highlight of day two of the warm-up matches at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa.
The warm-up games had begun on Saturday with rain playing spoilsport in three of the four games. Nepal beat Scotland in the only result of day one, with matches between India and Australia, Pakistan and South Africa, and USA and Namibia ending in no result.
South Africa pace sensation Kwena Maphaka, Pakistan quick Naseem Shah’s brother Ubaid Shah, Indian skipper Uday Saharan, Australia’s Charlie Anderson, Nepal duo of Gulshan Jha and Tilak Bhandari and the centurion from USA Siddarth Kappa were the stars on the first day of the warm-up matches.
On day two, Afghanistan stunned England with a quality all-round performance while the likes of Zimbabwe and West Indies also registered important wins.
We round up all the action from day two below.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe
Toss: Zimbabwe opt to bowl
Result: Zimbabwe won by 27 runs (DLS Method)
Opting to bowl first, Mashford Shungu and Kohli Eksteen struck early for Zimbabwe, but Ireland recovered with Gavin Roulston and wicketkeeper Kian Hilton putting on a half-century stand. Skipper Matthew Schonken and fellow spinner Ryan Simbi triggered a middle-order collapse that saw Ireland slip to 154/7.
However, Harry Dyer made a fine 44 off just 58 balls with Carson McCullough giving him company as Ireland managed to cross the 200-run mark. They eventually finished on 217/9 in 50 overs.
Schonken was the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers, ending with figures of 3/36 in nine overs.
In reply, Ryan Kamwemba and Panashe Taruvinga started well for Zimbabwe, putting on a 91-run opening stand. Kamwemba fell for 52 with Eksteen and Taruvinga falling soon after, but any hopes of an Ireland comeback were quickly shut out by Campbell Macmillan and Ronak Patel, the duo putting on a 73-run stand before rain intervened.
Zimbabwe, well ahead on DLS at that point, registered a win by 27 runs as rain prevented any further play.
Afghanistan vs England
Toss: England opt to bowl
Result: Afghanistan win by 67 runs
Afghanistan toppled England at the Dlamini Oval in Johannesburg by 67 runs after a good all-round performance.
Put in to bat first, Afghanistan were reduced to 82/4, but Sohail Khan Zurmati and Numan Shah made half-centuries to propel Afghanistan to a total of 238. For England, Tazeem Ali shone with figures of 3/45 while Sebastian Morgan and Dominic Kelly took a couple of wickets each.
Skipper Ben McKinney started well for England, but Afghanistan’s trump card, 16-year-old Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who has been likened to Mujeeb ur Rahman, sent back three of the top four batters to dent England.
Kelly launched a fightback from No.7, with Eddie Jack making a useful 36, including three sixes, from No.10, but Ghazanfar took his wicket as England were bowled out for 171.
The star for Afghanistan was Ghazanfar, who finished with a five-wicket haul to spell a major warning for Group D teams. Bashir Ahmad and Khalil Ahmad also picked up two wickets apiece for Afghanistan as they notched up a confidence-boosting win.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Toss: Sri Lanka opt to bat
Result: Sri Lanka won by 112 runs (DLS Method)
A half-century from opener Pulindu Perera set the tone for Sri Lanka after they opted to bat first against Bangladesh at the Tshwane University of Technology Oval in Pretoria.
While several other middle-order batters got starts, three run-outs hurt Sri Lanka’s pursuit of a high total and they eventually ended up making 238/9 in 50 overs. Wasi Siddiquee picked up 2/26 in six overs for Bangladesh.
In reply, pacer Vishen Halambage led Sri Lanka’s charge as he picked up the wickets of the two openers and No.4 batter Chowdhury Rizwan. Reduced to 70/4, Perera struck through the middle overs with his off-breaks, taking 2 for 5 in 4.5 overs.
Bangladesh finished on 119/9 as Sri Lanka recorded a win by 112 runs on DLS method.
New Zealand vs West Indies
Toss: West Indies opt to bowl
Result: West Indies win by six wickets
A superb bowling performance saw West Indies beat New Zealand at the Braam Fisherville Sports Complex in Johannesburg.
Opting to bowl first, West Indies never let New Zealand off the hook, with wickets coming at regular intervals. Reduced to 75/5, the Kiwis never quite recovered and were bowled out for 131.
Vice-captain and left-arm spinner Nathan Sealy shone with figures of 4/21 with five other bowlers taking a wicket apiece.
Ryan Tsourgas and Matt Rowe took a wicket each early in the run-chase to give the young Blackcaps side some hope, but Joshua Dorne held the innings together from No.3 with some composed batting.
New Zealand skipper Oscar Jackson chipped in with two wickets through the middle overs, but Dorne and Jewel Andrew carried the team home with a stable partnership
