Pakistan reach U-19 cricket WC semis

MUMBAI, Jan 24 (Hindustan Times): Pakistan will be facing either India or Bangladesh in the semi-final of the ongoing ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 in New Zealand, after they defeated South Africa on Wednesday.

Pakistan U-19 trumped South Africa by three wickets in the quarterfinal played at Christchurch to book a place in the final four of the tournament. Chasing a paltry total of 190 to win, Pakistan did stumble in the middle but eventually sailed through with three wickets in hand and 2.1 overs to spare.

Muhammad Musa's 3/29 and a fine unbeaten 74 from Ali Zaryab Asif were the highlights of Pakistan's win, as they got the better of their South African counterparts.

Wandile Makwetu's half-century (60 off 65 balls, 4x4s, 1x6s) and Jason Niemand's 36 were the only notable contributions from South Africa with the bat, after they were put in to bat with Pakistani captain Hasan Khan winning the toss and electing to field. South Africa made a poor start as none of their top batsmen - Matthew Breetzke (12), Jiveshan Pillay (14), Raynard van Tonder (4) and Hermann Rolfes (5) - could provide solidity to their team.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Musa claimed two wickets each to peg South Africa back, from which the Proteas could never really recover. For Pakistan, Arshad Iqbal and Hasan claimed one wicket each.