Debutant Sangha, Hatcher fashion Australia win

A five-for by fast bowler Liam Hatcher and a knock of 102 by debutant batsman Jason Sangha set the base for Australia Under-19s' 23-run win (Duckworth-Lewis method) over Pakistan Under-19s, their first win in the tri-nation tournament in the UAE.

Batting at no. 6, Sangha's 113-ball century in his first Youth ODI helped Australia recover from a poor start of 45 for 5 after they were put in to bat. Pacer Sameen Gul, who went on to finish with returns of 5 for 44, did most of the damage in this period taking three of the first five wickets. Sangha, however, rallied the lower order to lift Australia past 200. He was involved in partnerships of 55 and 51 for the eighth and ninth wickets with Wes Agar and Tom O'Donnell respectively, before his dismissal in 47th over. Sangha's knock included 13 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan were set a revised target of 207 runs from 48 overs but managed only 183 as the Australia attack bowled them out in 44.3 overs. Australia chipped away at wickets and thwarted promising partnerships, ensuring that only two batsmen - top-scorer and captain Gauhar Hafeez (48) and No. 8 Shadab Khan (36) - notched up scores of above 30. Hatcher cleaned up the lower order in his 5 for 39 and was well supported by Agar's pace, which accounted for an early wicket, and the off-spin pair of Michael Cormack and Sam Grimwade, who took two wickets each.

Pakistan, who are yet to register a win in the tournament, will target a win in their next match, against Australia on January 16, to keep their hopes of a place in the final alive.