Pakistan's group matches washed out

Karachi, Jan 14: Group C in the Youth World Cup being played in Sri Lanka was thrown into all sorts of calculations after the scheduled four matches for Friday were washed out.

Three matches, including the crucial Group C fixtures of Pakistan against Nepal and South Africa versus Kenya, were called off without a ball being bowled. The other called off matches involved Bangladesh and New Zealand, and India and Netherlands in Group B, according to information made available here.

The wash out left Pakistan with three points from two matches. South Africa and Nepal have two points each from two no-results. Kenya has one point after one defeat and one no-result.

On Sunday, Pakistan will play South Africa while Kenya will face Nepal. South Africa will go into Sunday's match in a must-win situation as a loss would close all doors for Super League stage. And this will be because the winner of the Nepal-Kenya match will enter the second stage as the second team behind Pakistan.

It is not known what would be the rule if Sunday's games are washed out again. In that case, Pakistan will qualify with four points but South Africa and Nepal will be left tied at three points each and all from no-results. However, if Pakistan lose to South Africa, South Africa will qualify and Pakistan will be left to pray for Kenya's win over Nepal. Kenya's win over Nepal on Sunday will left it tied with Pakistan at three points each. But Pakistan will move on after having defeated Kenya in the opening match of the Group by eight wickets.

But if South Africa beat Pakistan and Nepal beat Kenya, Pakistan will be sent packing as it would be left with three points against four points each by Nepal and South Africa.

With either of the two fancied teams facing elimination, fingers are being pointed at the organizers for hosting the tournament at a period when there are heavy rains in Sri Lanka.

GROUP B: The wash out of Group B matches involving India and New Zealand didn't affect the team as both qualified for the Super League stage.

India and New Zealand now have three points each from one win and one no-result. Bangladesh and Netherlands, the other two teams in the Group, have one point from two matches.

India face New Zealand on Sunday while Bangladesh play Netherlands. India-New Zealand match will only determine who will be the group champions as the losing team will qualify after having beaten the winner of Bangladesh-New Zealand fixture.

Friday's match between New Zealand and Bangladesh was washed out without a ball being bowled. But India were precariously placed while chasing a modest 59 to win when rain came down at Matara. Having beaten Netherlands for 58 in 29.2 overs, India were 15 for three in four overs - paceman V.Tewarie picking up all the three batsmen.

Saturday's Fixture: Australia v Sri Lanka, Ireland v Namibia (both Group D matches), England v Zimbabwe, West Indies v America (Group A matches) Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies have qualified for the Super League stage.