Summary of the quarterfinals of Under 19 World Cup 2020

The four quarter finals of the Under 19 World Cup 2020 saw some exciting action with India, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan reaching the last 4 stage.

These matches saw balance between ball and bat which ended in mouth watering thrillers. In the semi-finals, Pakistan and India will face each other on 4^th February while New Zealand and Bangladesh will face in the 2^nd semi-finals on 6^th February.

Here we look at the summary of quarterfinals of Under 19 World Cup 2020

1. India versus Australia (Potchefstroom)

The Indian Cricket Team defeated Australia by 74 runs in the first quarterfinals played at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom on 28^th January. Australian captain Mackenzie Harvey won the toss and decided to field first. Yashasvi Jaiswal steadied the Indian innings as India lost wickets of Divyaansh Saxena, Tilak Verma and Priyam Garg. Jaiswal looked confident with his stroke play and reached his fifty off 73 balls with a big six. Jaiswal and Jurel added 48 runs for the 4^th wicket. Jaiswal was dismissed for well made 62. The Australian bowlers kept tight line and length reducing India to 144 for 6.

Ravi Bishnoi and Atharva Anokolekar showed great fighting spirit to put India out of trouble adding 61 runs for the 7^th wicket. The left-handed Anokolekar reached his fifty off 51 balls with a six in the last over. India recovered to post 233 for 9 in 50 overs.

In reply, Australia got off to a disastrous start as Fraser McGurk was run out off the very first ball. Mackenzie Harvey and Hearne were dismissed by Karthik Tyagi to be in trouble at 4 for 3. Tyagi struck again to dismiss Oliver Davis to leave Australia in tatters at 17 for 4. Patrick Rowe and Sam Fanning steadied the Australian innings putting on 51 runs for the 5^th wicket before Tyagi got rid of Rowe. Liam Scott came as a concussion replacement for Kelly and added 81 runs for the 6^th wicket to give Australia some hope. Ravi Bishnoi got the breakthrough dismissing Liam Scott. Akash Singh did the job and bowled out Australia for 159 in 43.3 overs.

2. West Indies versus New Zealand (Willmore Park, Benoni)

New Zealand defeated West Indies by 2 wickets in a thrilling encounter during the 2^nd quarterfinals of the Super League stage played at Willmore Park, Benoni on 29^th January. West Indies captain Kimani Mellius won the toss and decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start for the West Indies team as they lost 2 early wickets of Julien and Melius inside the first 10 overs. Kelvin Anderson and Kirk McKenzie steadied the West Indies innings with attacking stroke play adding 78 runs for the 3^rd wicket.

McKenzie continued with aggressive stroke play and made the batting look easy. Antonio Morris joined Kirk and added 73 runs for the 4^th wicket. From 183 for 3, West Indies were bowled out for 238 in 47.5 overs. McKenzie was struggling with cramps and was the last batsman to be dismissed for 99.

In reply to 239 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for Kiwis as Ollie White was dismissed without scoring. Fergus Lellman and Rhyu Mariu attacked the West Indies bowlers to put on 48 runs for the 2^nd wicket. The West Indies bowlers made a strong comeback as they reduce Kiwis to a hopeless situation at 153 for 8.

Joey Field and Kristian Clarke put on unbelievable 86 runs stand for the 9^th wicket. With 7 runs required off the final over, Clarke hit the winning runs to help New Zealand win the match by 2 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Clarke remained not out on 46 while Field remained not out on 38.

3. Bangladesh versus South Africa

Bangladesh stunned the hosts South Africa by 104 runs in the 3^rd Super League quarterfinals played at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom on 30^th January. South Africa captain Bryce Parsons won the toss and decided to field first. The Bangladesh openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan started off to an aggressive fashion adding 60 runs.

Despite slow going, Tanzid showed his class taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Hasan and Hridoy added 57 runs for the 3^rd wicket. After the fall of Tanzid wicket for 80, Hridoy and Shahdat Hossain kept the scoreboard ticking adding 102 runs for the 4^th wicket. Shahdat played a brilliant knock remaining not out on 74 off 76 balls. Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 261 for 5 in 50 overs.

In reply to 262 runs to win, apart from Jonathan Bird 35, Luke Beaufort 60, none of the South African batsmen failed to contribute and were bowled out for 157 in 42.3 overs. Rakibul Hasan was the pick bowlers with figures of 5 for 19.

4. Pakistan versus Afghanistan

Pakistan cruise to an easy 6 wicket win over Afghanistan in the 4^th Super League quarterfinals played at Willmore Park, Benoni on 31^st January. Afghanistan captain Farhan Zakhil won the toss and decided to bat first.

Ibhraim Zadran and Zakhil got Afghanistan to a steady start adding 41 runs. The Pakistan bowlers kept tight line and length throughout the innings. Farhan Zakhil was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 40 while Abdul Rahman made 30. Pakistan bowled out Afghanistan for 189 in 49.1 overs.

In reply to 190 runs to win, Haider Ali and Mohammad Huraria got Pakistan off to a flying start adding 61 runs. The debutant Huraria looked impressive with his stroke play scoring 64 off 76 balls. Despite 3 quick wickets, Qasim Akram and Mohammad Haris unbeaten 63 runs stand for the 5^th wicket helped Pakistan win the match by six wickets with 53 balls to spare.

Semi-finals line up

1. India versus Pakistan (4^th February)- JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
2. Bangladesh versus New Zealand (6^th February)- Willmore Park, Benoni.