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Aussies, Afghans qualify for quarters

Australia take on West Indies, while Afghanistan meet in-form South Africa, in the quarterfinals.

Litton Das of Bangladesh plays a shot — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

The Australian lads would have probably sung “Under The Southern Cross I Stand,” the victory song of the Australian cricket team, in the dressing room.

No, they hadn’t won the final, not yet at least, but this victory would have felt like one. The boys from Down Under, effected the Houdini act to enter the quarter-finals of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Australia Under-19s defeated Bangladesh Under-19s by 74 runs in a crucial Group B fixture. Australia were joined by Afghanistan, who both got through at Bangladesh’s expense. It was third time lucky for Afghanistan. This was their third appearance in the competition and this was the first time that they got past the first round.

It was heart-break for Bangladesh, who were leading the table with four points from two games. But they faltered in their final game, and when it mattered the most.

Afghanistan, who had kept their chances alive after the win against Australia the other day, had already wrapped up a quick four-wicket win over Namibia. All three teams finished on four points and Australia finished as the table toppers with a better run rate followed by Afghanistan. It all came down to net run rate. Bangladesh failed to progress to the quarters and will now be left to fight it out in the Plate Championship.

Australia take on West Indies, while Afghanistan meet in-form South Africa, in the quarterfinals.

In hindsight, Bangladesh skipper Mehedy Hasan would be ruing the fact that they opted to put Australia into bat. Australia racked up 244 for the loss of six wickets in their 50 overs on a greenish pitch with Jake Doran stranded on 99. Bangladesh’s Abu Haider had a game to forget and probably cost his team the game. The left-arm pacer, who just celebrated his 18^th birthday, five days ago, dropped left-hander Doran at long-on when he was on 38. Later, Haider leaked 21 runs in the last over of Australia’s innings, which proved crucial in the final analysis.

james@khaleejtimes.com