Zahid captures 5/13: Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets

Karachi, Jan 18: Pacer Zahid Saeed captured five wickets to inspire Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Youth World Cup Super League opener at the Khettarama Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday.

Zahid finished with magnificent figures of five for 13 as Pakistan dismissed New Zealand for a 90, including 17 extras, in 42.3 overs.

Practice-short Pakistanis achieved victory in 31.4 overs but lost four batsmen. Test batsman Imran Nazir scored a 37-ball 23 with three boundaries while left-handed Taufiq Umer faced 84 balls and scored 31. His innings included two boundaries.

Opener Imran Farhat, Hasan Raza and Faisal Iqbal failed with the bat. Hasan Raza and Faisal Iqbal were having their first workout in the centre after Pakistan's two matches were washed out without a ball being bowled while in the opening match of the tournament they had recorded a eight-wicket victory over Nepal.

Zahid Saeed, who had claimed three for 15 against Nepal, was accurate and penetrative.

Three of Zahid's victims were caught by Humayun Farhat behind the wickets, one batsmen lost his stumps were while the other fifth stroke-maker was adjudged lbw.

Zahid showed that he was also an agile fielder when he was involved in two more dismissals. He caught New Zealand opener J.How on the fifth ball of the ball off Irfan Fazil and then ran-out New Zealand's No.4 batsman JP McNamee and last man T.Robin.

Pakistan had left New Zealand precariously placed at eight for five from 6.1 overs before skipper JEC Franklin (27) and G.Irwin (23) added 58 runs for the sixth wicket from 154 balls and played an integral part in helping their team reach three figures.

Pakistan's next match is on Thursday against Australia.

Result: Pakistan won by six wickets

Australia defeat West Indies

In the other Group 2 fixture, Australia defeated the West Indies by four wickets at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

The West Indies batted first and collected 199 for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs.

All the top order West Indies batsmen got runs but consumed too many balls. Opener B.Parchment took 81 balls to score 25, fellow opener Zaheer Ali faced 77 runs while scoring 29 and skipper R.O Hinds received 53 balls from which he scored 33. Only M.Samuels showed some urgency while hitting a 58-ball 53 that included six boundaries and a six.

The West Indies openers provided a 71-run start but that took them 24.3 overs.

Australia, in their turn, reached victory after a fifth wicket stand between S.Watson and N.Hauritz (38) produced 83 runs in 90 balls.

Watson scored 62 from 101 balls with five fours and a six.

India beat Nepal

India earned a cakewalk eight-wicket victory over Nepal in the Group A match at the Air Force ground in Katunayake.

Nepal were bowled out for 99 in 44 overs with Yuvraj Singh claiming four wickets for 15 runs.

India reached the victory target in 25.2 overs with skipper Mohammad Kaif scoring an unbeaten 57 from 71 balls with four hits to the fence.

Sri Lanka shock Champions

Hosts Sri Lanka shocked defending champions England by seven wickets in a Group 2 match at the P.Saravanamutta Stadium in Colombo.

England were shot out for 123 in 47.2 overs with MA Wallace and MZ Carberry being joint top scorers with 27.

Dhammika was the pick of Sri Lankan bowlers with four for 13.

Sri Lanka achieved victory losing two wickets. Opener GI Daniels scored 52 not out while J.Mubarak scored 36.