ICC U-19 World Cup: Afghanistan defeats Canada to finish third in Group B; New Zealand beats Ireland to take third spot in Group D

New Zealand, starting from two losses against India and Nepal, took third place in Group D in the U-19 World Cup after a four-wicket win against Ireland in Fatullah.

Rachin Ravindra and skipper Josh Finnie picked up three wickets each as New Zealand bowled out Ireland for 212 and then won in the 41st over after Finn Allen scored 97 and Dale Phillips made 58.

Finnie later said: “There is a lot to look forward in the Plate Championship as we can come up against sides like South Africa.”

Afghanistan finished third in Group B with a four-wicket win over Canada in Sylhet.

Muslim Musa and Shamsurrahman Wali took three wickets each as Afghanistan bowled out Canada for 147 and then rode on Tariq Stanikzai’s 56 to surpass the target in the 25th over.

Afghanistan captain Ihsanullah Janat said his team gained valuable experience playing against teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “This tournament will help the players improve their game. Its been a very good learning experience,” he said.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which have already qualified for the Super League quarter-finals, face-off in Mirpur on Wednesday to determine the group winner.

Teams, which do not make the Super League, will feature in the eight-nation Plate championships.

Scores in brief:

Group B: Afghanistan beat Canada by four wickets in Sylhet Canada 147 all out, 50 overs (Arslan Khan 38, Abraash Khan 33; Muslim Musa 3-31, Shamsurrahman Wali 3-21)Afghanistan 149-6, 24.1 overs (Tariq Stanikzai 56, Ihsanullah Janat 31; Miraj Patel 3-17)

Group D: New Zealand beat Ireland by four wickets in FatullahIreland 212 all out, 47.5 overs (Jack Tector 56, Adam Dennison 46; Rachin Ravindra 3-36, Josh Finnie 3-20)New Zealand 213-6, 40.1 overs (Finn Allen 97, Dale Phillips 58; Rory Anders 4-32)

Plate Championship quarter-finals line-up:

4 Feb – South Africa-Scotland winner v Ireland; New Zealand v South Africa-Scotland loser

5 Feb – Afghanistan v C4; Canada v C3

Points table (after today’s matches)

Group B

Team	Played	Won	Lost	NNR	Points
Sri Lanka	2	2	0	+2.29	4
Pakistan	2	2	0	+1.23	4
Afghanistan	3	1	2	-0.06	2
Canada	3	0	3	-2.64	0

Group D

Team	Played	Won	Lost	NNR	Points
India	3	3	0	+2.58	6
Nepal	3	2	1	+0.03	4
New Zealand	3	1	2	-0.81	2
Ireland	3	0	3	-1.70	0