No more the 'chokers', South Africa win 2014 U19 World Cup

South Africa have won their first World Cup trophy

Breaking a frustrating jinx which saw them labelled ‘chokers’ over the years, South Africa finally registered their name as global victors when they defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets in the final of U19 World Cup today in Dubai.

Led by a composed Aiden Markram, this U19 team became the first South African side in history to lift a World Cup trophy when Bradley Dial hit the winning boundary, with Markram remaining unbeaten on 66 at the other end.

The result was almost inevitable at halfway mark when Pakistan were all out on 131, unable to handle the Proteas’ pace battery. 19-year-old Corbin Bosch returned with the best figures of 4/15 in 7.3 overs, breaking the back of Pakistan’s middle order.

South Africa faced early jitters when they lost 2 quick wickets with just 28 on the board, but captain Markram and Greg Oldfield restored normalcy with a 71-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Oldfield departed after making 40 and South Africa lost Yaseen Valli cheaply, but Markram calmly completed his half-century and guided his team to victory.

Bosch was named the Player of the match for his brilliant figures in the final.

Arkram finished as the highest scorer for South Africans (3rd highest overall) in the tournament with 370 runs to his name, including 2 centuries and one half-century in the final. The Proteas captain was also named the Player of the tournament.

18-year-old express pacer Kagiso Rabada was the highest wicket taker for South Africa (2nd highest overall), picking 14 wickets in 5 matches. Rabada was the hero in semifinal, when he destroyed Australia with his spell of 6/25.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 131 all out (Amad Butt 37, Zafar Gohar 22; Corbin Bosch 4/15, Yaseen Valli 2/19)

lost to

South Africa 134/4 (Aiden Arkram 66*, Greg Oldfied 40; Karamat Ali 2/24, Zia-ul-Haq 1/27)