SA take fifth place, big wins for Zimbabwe and USA
A round-up of the Under-19 World Cup Playoffs that took place on January 27
Cricinfo staff
27-Jan-2010
South Africa knocked defending champions India to sixth spot by beating them by six wickets in the fifth-place Playoffs match in Lincoln. Half-centuries by Dominic Hendricks, David White and Colin Ackermann helped South Africa chase down the target of 236 with seven deliveries to spare. It could have been over much sooner had it not been for a stand of 112 for the sixth wicket between Zahid Ali and Harpreet Singh. This came after the seamers wrecked the top order, reducing India to 15 for 4.
Zahid, on his debut, missed his century by two runs while Harpreet scored 56. Graham Hume and Sammy Mofokeng took three wickets apiece to keep India to 235. The South Africans were powered by a stand of 112 for the second wicket between Hendricks and White. Ackermann steered South Africa home with an unbeaten 52.
Zimbabwe breezed through by 137 runs against Hong Kong at McLean Park
in the 13th place Playoffs. Like India, Zimbabwe too posted 235 but there were no dramatic collapses or recoveries. Andrew Lindsay and Peter Moor made 40s and added 89 for the fifth wicket to lead Zimbabwe's charge. Simon Mugava made a brisk 38 to push Zimbabwe past 200. Hong Kong showed no resistance as they crumbled to 98 within 37 overs. Natsai Mushangwe, the legspinner, was the most effective bowler with 4 for 18.
It was a no-contest at Nelson Park as Afghanistan crashed to 86 and surrendered the 15th place Playoff to United States of America. A combined effort by the USA bowlers bundled them out within 33 overs, with Hammad Shahid and Saqib Saleem taking three wickets each. USA needed just 14.2 overs to polish off the target, with Steven Taylor leading the way with 30.