India lose to SA, finish 6th in U-19 WC

South Africa's top order fired in unison as defending champions India were humbled by six wickets in the fifth place play-off in the ICC under-19 World Cup in Lincoln on Wednesday.

Electing to bat, India lost half the side within 20 overs with only 66 runs on the board. However, Harpreet Singh Bhatia (56) and Zahid Ali (98) stemmed the rot and helped the team post 235 in the stipulated 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa rode on some splendid batting by their top order -- Dominic Hendricks (63), David White (77) and Colin Ackermann (52 not out) hitting half-centuries -- to score 237 for 4 and overhaul the target with seven balls to spare.

Chasing 236 for victory, South Africa lost their first wicket in J R Richards (0) in the second over, but Hendricks and White joined hands to stitch a 124-run first wicket stand to stable the innings.

Hendricks slammed six fours in his 87-ball innings, while White's 114-ball innings was studded with five fours and one hit over the fence.

A run-out in the 31st over cost Hendricks his wicket while White was dismissed by Gaurav Jathar in the 39th over, reducing South Africa to 166 for three. But Colin and M Nofal (31) put together another 62-run partnership to take South Africa at the doorstep of victory.

Nofal, who was clean bowled by Jaydev Unadkat in the 47.3 overs, was the last wicket to fall. But it was too little too late as South Africa romped home.

Earlier, India were off to a disastrous start when opener Akshath Reddy (2) was sent packing in the first over by Graham Hume. Four overs later, Bokang Mosena dismissed Rahul Kannaur (4) as they were reduced to 12 for 2 in 4.5 overs.

In the next two overs, India lost Mandeep Singh (0) and skipper Ashok Menaria (0) within a span of nine balls, and in the 21st over, Mayank (32) was also dismissed as India were looking down the barrel at 66 for five in 20 overs.

Harpreet then joined Zahid as the duo forged a 107-run partnership to give some respectability to the total before the former was dismissed in the 42nd over by Dale Deeb.

Zahid, who kept the scoreboard ticking as India crossed the 200-mark, was out in the last over.