As the matches are progressing, the tournament has started to open up, and now the picture is almost clear regarding who will play the quarter-finals in the ongoing U-19 World Cup.
On Friday, India played their third match of the group stage against New Zealand at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. After winning the toss, the Black Caps asked the Men in Blue to bat first. The Priyam Garg-led side batted well and reached 100-runs without losing any wicket in 21 overs, but then came the rain, and it affected the match.
Due to the Duckworth and Lewis (DLS) method, the match was reduced to 23 overs per side. The defending champions came to bat again for just two overs and finished their innings at 115-0. Both the openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyansh Saxena remained unbeaten on 57 and 52, respectively.
New Zealand were given the revised-target of 192. While chasing, the Kiwis had an excellent start as they reached 90-plus in just nine overs with eight wickets in hand. They were looking settled and confident, but then came the spin duo of Atharva Ankolekar and Ravi Bishnoi, who ripped apart the Kiwis batting order.
Both the spinners shared seven wickets and helped their side to qualify for the quarter-finals. Bishnoi, for his yet another magical display of quality leg-spin bowling, received the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Three wins from three for the Under 19 reigning champions 🔥 #U19CWC | #INDvNZ | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/YasTKlEROu
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 24, 2020
Apart from India versus New Zealand, there were two more matches in the competition; however, they too were affected by rain.
The match between Afghanistan and Canada was abandoned without a ball being bowled, and since Afghanistan have already won their first two matches, they straightaway qualified for the quarter-finals.
Unfortunately the game between Afghanistan and Canada has been called off without a ball being bowled.
The result means that Afghanistan will definitely finish top of Group D.#U19CWC | #AFGvCAN | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/LayPxoSndI
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 24, 2020
Afghanistan U19 topped the D group with five points ahead of host South Africa U19 as their final league match against Canada U19 has abandoned by umpires without a ball being bowled. #U19CWC #AfgU19Stars #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/VWtOSpd8w1
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 24, 2020
In another match, Pakistan and Bangladesh were locking horns, but due to rain, it had no result as well. Both the teams shared points and qualified for the quarter-finals.
Unfortunate news 😞
Stop-start rain means there will be no further play between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Potchefstroom.#U19CWC | #PAKvBAN | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/kpZLl211GB
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 24, 2020
