Lanka, Pak shocked in
U-19 World Cup

Namibia and Nepal sparked huge shocks at the ICC under-19 World Cup by beating highly fancied Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Tuesday.

Namibia bowled out the second-ranked Sri Lankans for 141 in 40.5 overs before winning by four wickets and five-and-a-half overs to spare, with Burton van Rooi grabbing four wickets for 27 and Michael Greeff three for 25.

Nepal, meanwhile, who ran England close in their first game, made 151 and then bowled out Pakistan, seeded third, for 121.

Their matchwinners were batsman Bandan Chalise with 42 and bowlers Sanjam Regmi and Shakti Gauchan with three for 27 and three for 19 respectively.

The upsets mean Sri Lanka, beaten finalists in the 2000 tournament, and Pakistan will have to win their final group games to qualify for the Super League stages of the 16-nation competition.

Sri Lanka must beat Zimbabwe and Pakistan need to overcome England.

Failure to do so will leave them playing in the Plate Championship.

Bangladesh and Canada, meanwhile, tied their group A match in Auckland. Canada needed 11 off the last over and five off the last ball, Nathan Richards hitting it for four to bring the tie.

Group A: Bangladesh and Canada tied. Bangladesh 213-7 (Ali Arman 49no), Canada 213-9. (Ashish Bagai 82).

Group B: Namibia beat Sri Lanka by 4 wkts. Sri Lanka 141 in 40.5 overs, Jeevan Mendis 57; Burton van Rooi 4-27, Michael Greeff 3-25), Namibia 146-6 in 44.3 overs (Colin Steytler 43).

Group C: Nepal beat Pakistan by 30 runs. Nepal 151 in 48.5 overs (Bardan Chalise 42; Junaid Zia 4-34, Kanran Sajid 4-35), Pakistan 121 in 45.4 overs (Sanjam Regmi 3-27, Shakti Gauchan 3-19.

Group D: Scotland beat Kenya by 5 wkts (rain reduced match). Kenya 113-5 off 34.2 overs, Scotland 124-5 in 25 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor