U-19 World Cup: Afghanistan celebrates first victory

First-time qualifier at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan, produced a clinical performance in Christchurch on Tuesday when it defeated Hong Kong by eight wickets for its first-ever victory in any World Cup finals.

In another match of the day, New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Lincoln to confirm its place in the Super League quarter-finals stage, while the West Indies overpowered Papua New Guinea by five wickets to give itself a fighting chance of reaching the last-eight next stage.

In the final match of the day, Ireland's Paul Stirling scored a classy century to lead his side to a five-wicket win over the USA.

Afghanistan's historic win over fellow Group A Associate Member Hong Kong came relatively easily as it won by eight wickets with 19 over to spare.

Chasing 138 for victory, Afghanistan openers Javed Ahmadi (90) and Ayan Aminzai (21) set a solid platform with a partnership of 86. Ahmadi was on fire has his 98-ball innings included nine fours and three sixes.

Afghanistan captain Noor-ul-Haq was very pleased with his opener's innings. "He has the confidence in his ability to hit well over the boundary and is very valuable to our side," he said.

Earlier Zakiullah Zaki returned figures of 7.1-1-34-5 to bowl Hong Kong out for 137 in 35.1 overs after Afghanistan had won the toss and chosen to field. Only opener Ashish Gadhia (46) and Nizakat Khan (27) offered any resistance as the two put on 60 runs for the fourth wicket.

In Palmerston North, the West Indies almost made a mess of a small target before romping to victory over PNG by five wickets.

Chasing a victory target of 188, the West Indies collapsed to 43-4 with PNG's Raymond Haoda picking up three wickets before Kraigg Brathwaite and Shane Dorwich repaired the damage by adding 118 runs for the fourth wicket.

The partnership ended when Brathwaite, who scored 92 not out in the previous match, departed after scoring a 79-ball 82 that included eight fours but Dorwich ensured his side cross the finish-line without any further hiccups. The West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman remained undefeated on 84 that came off 85 deliveries and included nine fours and a six.

The West Indies stand-in captain Yannick Ottley, reflecting on the match, said: "I think the boys put themselves under unnecessary pressure to do well today. But it picked up and we came out the victors. Once the other guys come to the party and perform as a team, we will be unbeatable," he said.

Put into bat, PNG's total revolved around Sese Bau (50), captain Jason Kila (30) and opener Heni Siaka (28) who gave a good account of themselves. For the West Indies, Yannic Cariah was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 10-1-37-4.

Host New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in front of ESPN STAR Sports cameras in Lincoln.

New Zealand took only 25 overs to reel off the required 136–run target after openers Tom Latham and Harry Boam set the tone with an attacking opening stand of 116. Latham slapped 10 fours in an unbeaten 76-ball 57 while Boam clubbed eight fours in a 61-ball 58.

The host nation had set up the victory by winning the toss and bowling with sustained pressure and aggressive fielding, keeping a stranglehold on Zimbabwe's scoring.  Tim Johnston (3-37) was the pick of New Zealand attack with his attacking and varied off-spin.

New Zealand captain Craig Cachopa was pleased with the result and with the form of his top order batsmen. "Two from two – we're guaranteed a place in the quarters, so we're pretty happy with that," he said.

"Harry and Tom were really good today – they batted really well. And I'm happy with where the team is ahead of tomorrow's big game against Sri Lanka."

Queenstown was Irish batsman Paul Stirling's stage as he smashed 114 to steer his side to a five-wicket win over USA in Group B.

The game was evenly poised after the USA made 217 and then had Ireland struggling at 104-4. However, Stirling, a regular in the Irish senior team, put Ireland back in front with his 114 coming off 102 balls, including 12 fours, and a six to bring up his century.

Stirling and Graham McDonnell (35 not out) added 104 runs for the fifth wicket to help Ireland earn for its first win in a group stage match at the ICC U19 CWC since 2004.

The USA had earlier looked set to post at least 250 but was thwarted by a late-order collapse in which it lost five wickets for just 17 runs to be bowled out for 217 in 48.1 overs.

Sixteen-year-old left-handed opener Steven Taylor was in dangerous touch, scoring a hard hitting 57 off 64 balls with six fours and three sixes. Saqib Saleem batted through the middle for a well made 62 until spinner Lee Nelson decimated the innings, taking 3-3 in just seven balls.

Score summaries:
Afghanistan beats Hong Kong by eight wickets at Hagley Park, Christchurch (Group A)
Hong Kong 137 all out, 35.1 overs (Ashish Gadhia 46; Zakiullah Zak 5-34, Noor-ul-Haq 2-7, Yamin Ahmadzai 2-18)
Afghanistan 141-2, 31.0 overs (Javed Ahmadi 90 n.o.; Ashish Gadhia 2-26)

Ireland beats the USA by five wickets at Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown (Group B)
USA 217 all out, 48.1 overs (Saqib Saleem 62, Steven Taylor 57, Ryan Corns 31, Gregory Sewdial 30; Lee Nelson 3-3, Craig Young 3-50)
Ireland 218-5, 43.5 overs (Paul Stirling 114, Graham McDonnell 35 n.o.; Ryan Corns 3-46)

New Zealand beats Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln (Group C)
Zimbabwe 135 all out, 42.2 overs (Tinotenda Mutombodzi 28; Tim Johnston 3-37, Ben Wheeler 2-10, Bevan Small 2-20, Doug Bracewell 2-26)
New Zealand 140-3, 25.3 overs (Harry Boam 58, Tom Latham 57 n.o.; Calum Price 2-33)

West Indies beats Papua New Guinea by five wickets at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North (Group D)
Papua New Guinea 187 all out, 50 overs (Sese Bau 50, Jason Kila 30; Yannic Cariah 4-37, Yannick Ottley 2-14)
West Indies 188-5, 35.4 overs (Shane Dowrich 84 n.o., Kraigg Brathwaite 82; Raymond Haoda 3-37)