The legspinner ran through UAE's batting line-up © Getty

Afghanistan steamroll UAE with wristspin magic

Afghanistan cruised to a 160-run win at the Northwest University ground in Potchefstroom, after the UAE batting line-up failed miserably in a chase of 266. With this win, they also booked their place in the Super League.

Despite a steady start by the openers, who put together a stand of 61 runs for the first wicket, the rest of the batting line-up then collapsed as the next 44 runs cost them ten wickets. Shafiqullah Ghafari was the wrecker-in-chief, ripping the heart out of the top order and effecting a run-out, on his way to a five-wicket haul.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a slow start, after losing captain Farhan Zakhil early. However, the third-wicket stand of 112 between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah formed the core of the Afghan total, each of them scoring their respective fifties to take Afghanistan to a commendable total, aided by Mohammaf Ishaq's cameo at the end.

Afghanistan remain the table-toppers in Group D with four points, having won both their games, followed by the UAE at the third spot, with two points from their win against Canada, and an inferior net run-rate to South Africa's.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan U-19 265-6 in 50 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 87, Rahmanullah 81; Karthik Palaniapan 2-49) beat United Arab Emirates U-19 105 all-out in 32.4 overs (Aryan Lakra 28; Shafiqullah Ghafari 5-23, Noor Ahmed 3-30) by 160 runs

South Africa flatten Canada at Potchefstroom

South Africa defeated Canada by 150runs in a one-sided encounter at Senwes Park Potchefstroom, on Wednesday (January 22). Canada, faced with a gigantic total, were never really in the hunt, and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals even as Benjamin Calitz held on until the end for 62*. Eventually, it was all too much for Canada, who succumbed to the persistent South African bowling for a total of 199.

Canada had earlier asked South Africa in to bat first in their league fixture at Potchefstroom, and despite the early breakthrough by Rishiv Joshi, it was South Africa all the way through the innings. The second-wicket stand was dominated by Jonathan Bird, who scored 41 out of the 64 runs before being dismissed by Ayush Verma. Skipper Bryce Parsons then took over, stitching together a 93-run 3rd wicket stand, with Luke Beaufort playing a supporting role. Tyrese Karelse then joined Parsons at the crease to in a stand of 50 in 39 balls, which saw Parsons get to a hundred. Karelse eventually got to his half-century and stayed unbeaten on 60 off 51 balls, as Akhil Kumar wreaked havoc at the other end, but couldn't stop South Africa from posting a massive 349-8 on the board.

After this win, South Africa move up to the second spot in Group D, second to Afghanistan, who picked up a second win today, whereas Canada remain at the bottom of the group with two losses in as many games.

Brief Scores: South Africa U-19 349-8 in 50 overs (Bryce Parsons 121, Tyrese Karelse 60*; Akhil Kumar 4-56) beat Canada U-19 199 all-out in 41.1 overs (Benjamin Calitz 62*; Tiaan van Vuuren 2-24) by 150 runs

New Zealand edge Sri Lanka in last-over humdinger

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in a nail-biting encounter at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, getting past the finishing line off the penultimate ball of the match, and eventually securing a 3-wicket win with a six.Ollie White and Fergus Lellman failed to form partnerships with Rhys Mariu, who then found an able partner in Beckham Wheeler-Greenall, compiling a 111-run stand. Mariu's wicket triggered a mini-collapse, and despite a calming hand by the captain Jesse Tashkoff, New Zealand found themselves in need off 6 runs off 2 balls with their No. 9 batsman on strike. The No. 9, Kristian Clarke, however, struck Dilshan Madushanka for a towering six to send the Kiwi dressing room into delirium.

Sri Lanka's batting line-up were saved the blushes, thanks to a counter-attacking knock by Ahan Wickramasinghe at No. 8 after New Zealand elected to bowl first in Bloemfontein. After a steady hand from the top-order, Sri Lanka looked all set for a sub-300 total at the very least, with the score reading 106-2 at the 24-over mark. It was then, however, that a collapse ensued wherein Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 35 runs, leaving them reeling at 141-6. It was then Wickramasinghe joined Sonal Dinusha at the crease and stitched together a stand of 78 runs in 66 balls, before the latter fell with 17 balls to go. Wickramasinghe, though, ensured that his team played the 50 overs, and was eventually dismissed in the final over, getting Sri Lanka to a respectable 242-9. Adithya Ashok was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, scalping three wickets, whereas Taskoff and Clarke picked up two apiece.

New Zealand are now second only to India in Group A, after securing their first win, whereas Sri Lanka, who have lost both their games, remain at the bottom of the group.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka U-19 242-9 in 50 overs (Ahan Wickramasinghe 64, Sonal Dinusha 46; Adithya Ashok 3-38) lost to New Zealand U-19 243-7 in 49.5 overs (Rhys Mariu 86, Beckham Wheeler-Greenall 80; Sudeera Thilakaratne 2-52) by 3 wickets.

Pakistan defend 295, make it two in two

Pakistan defended a score of 295-9 against Zimbabwe in their second league encounter at Potchefstroom to make it a second consecutive win in as many games. Aamir Ali struck the first blow after a fluent partnership between the Zimbabwe openers, who struck the new ball crisply. Milton Shumba joined Madhevere at the crease, and struck a half-century too, and at 186-2, with captain Myers and Shumba at the crease, it looked like Zimbabwe would cause an upset. However, the wicket of Myers caused a collapse of 5 wickets for 47 runs, and despite the best efforts of wicketkeeper Dane Schadendorf, Zimbabwe fell comfortably short of the target by 38 runs.

After the early wicket of Haider Ali, Shehzad and Munir put together a stand of 47. However, the fall of Shehzad also brought about the wicket of Nazir and Pakistan found themselves precariously placed at 74-3. It was then that Mohammad Haris joined Munir at the crease and put together 65 runs for the 4th wicket. Despite the fall of Munir, Haris continued to entertain on his way to an aggressive 52-ball 81. Qasim Akram supported him ably with a swift fifty, and took charge. However, after his fall, Haris decided to play for survival and was only dismissed at the 48-over mark as wickets continued to fall around him. The final-wicket pair managed to survive 9 balls to score 14, lifting Pakistan's score to 295-9 in 50 overs.

After this win, Pakistan remain at the second position despite two wins due to Bangladesh's superior net run-rate, whereas Zimbabwe are third despite two losses in two games, courtesy Scotland's inferior net run-rate.

Brief Scores: Pakistan U-19 294/9 in 50 overs (Mohammad Haris 81, Qasim Akram 53; Dylan Grant 3-47) beat Zimbabwe U-19 256 all-out(Milton Shumba 58, Wesley Madhevere 53; Tahir Hussain 3-42, Abbas Afridi 3-55) by 38 runs