Sport

South Africa dethrones Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR: South Africa crushed defending champion Pakistan by 98 runs in a rain-hit semifinal on Saturday to set up a clash with India in the under-19 World Cup cricket final.

Pakistan, set a revised target of 252 in 47 overs in a match spread over two days due to bad weather, was shot out for 153, dashing its hopes of a third successive title in cricket’s premier junior event.

Off-spinner Mohammad Vallie lifted South Africa home with four for 25 as opener Ahmad Shehzad played a lone hand for Pakistan with a fluent 60 containing six boundaries and a six.

South Africa skipper Wayne Parnell and Roy Adams chipped in with two wickets each as Pakistan lost its last eight wickets for 66 runs.

The day-night final will be played at the Kinrara Oval on Sunday with a reserve day set aside in case of bad weather.

The semifinal was carried over to a second day after rain on Friday brought play to an early end with Pakistan on 86 for two from 18.5 overs in reply to South Africa’s challenging total of 260 for eight.

Pakistan was unlucky to bow out after needing only five runs in seven balls if the stipulated 20 overs had been bowled on Friday.

When play finally began two hours and 20 minutes late on Saturday due to a wet outfield caused by heavy overnight rain, Pakistan made the worst possible start.

Umar Amin, who was on 22 overnight after sharing a 69-run stand for the third wicket with Shehzad, fell first ball to a brilliant piece of stumping by wicketkeeper Bradley Barnes.

Barnes collected a delivery from Pieter Malan bowled wide down the leg-side and whipped off the bails with left-handed Amin short of his crease.

“Bradley’s stumping had a huge role to play,” said a beaming South African coach Ray Jennings.

“We planned that dismissal.”

Jennings said he looked forward to the final against India.

“We are the underdogs because there are huge expectations on India, but I like it that way,” he said.

“We have had a tough semifinal and the boys will be playing for a third day in a row, but they are in good spirits for the final.”

Pakistan was dealt a blow when star batsman Ali Asad was given out leg before to Adams by Sri Lankan umpire Tyron Wijewardene even though the ball appeared to pitch outside leg stump.

South Africa removed danger man Shehzad and Umair Mir in the space of three balls to leave Pakistan in tatters at 124 for six in the 30th over. Shehzad miscued a lofted on-drive off Adams to point and Mir was bowled by Vallie for no score.

The scores: South Africa: 260.

Pakistan: Ahmad Shehzad c Engelbrecht b Adams 60, Umar Akmal c Vallie b Parnell 12, Shan Masood b Parnell 0, Umar Amin st. Barnes b Malan 22, Ali Asad lbw b Adams 5, Usman Salahuddin c Rossouw b Vallie 16, Umair Mir b Vallie 0, Imad Wasim c Vandiar b Engelbrecht 14, Mohammad Rameez c Hendricks b Vallie 3, Adil Raza (not out) 6, Azhar Attari c Engelbrecht b Vallie 1. Extras: (b-1, w-12, nb-1) 14. Total: 153.

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-17, 3-87, 4-95, 5-124, 6-124, 7-135, 8-144, 9-145.

South Africa bowling: Parnell 9-0-39-2, Arnold 7-0-41-0, Adams 7-1-22-2, Malan 4-0-13-1, Vallie 8.3-1-25-4, Hendricks 1-0-5-0, Vandiar 1-0-4-0, Engelbrecht 2-1-3-1.

South Africa won by 98 runs. Target revised to 252 in 47 overs due to rain. — Agencies

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