West Indies and Pakistan set up final replay

West Indies had few problems in securing their place in the CLICO International U-15 Championship final with a rousing eight-wicket win over Malaysia, the surprise semi-finalists who entered the tournament at the last minute following Zimbabwe's withdrawal .

Malaysia won the toss and batted, making a solid if rather ponderous start as Zubair Asyraf (39) and Keithan Goonasagaran (33) guided them to 82 for 1. But the innings unraveled against two left-arm spinners, Man-of-the-Match Kaverm Hodge (10-3-23-2) and Derone Davis (9.5-2-33-4), and they were bowled out for 160 with one ball remaining.

West Indies' batting has been one of the features of the competition and they raced to victory in 24.5 overs. Ramon Senior led the charge with an unbeaten 69 while the prolific Kraigg Brathwaite chipped in with 52, his fifth score over fifty in seven outings.

In the other match, a repeat of the knockout semi-final, Pakistan, who were made to struggle on that occasion, cruised to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Winning the toss, Bangladesh lost three early wickets to Syed Kumail Abbas, slipping to 13 for 3, and despite a gutsy 66 from Didar Hossain the innings never got going and they were bowled out for 126.

Pakistan's openers, Mohammad Babar (64) and Mohammad Naeem (36) put on 82 and, although they suffered a slight wobble, they eased home with more than 19 overs in hand.

West Indies and Pakistan met last week in the Knockout tournament final. On that occasion Pakistan won a tense match by two runs.