Sangha the hero for Australia as Zimbabwe run wild

Stalling in their response to their opponents target of 191, Tanveer Sangha – who had earlier taken four wickets to limit the Afghanistan innings, smashed six of the best at the perfect moment to see Australia through.

Elsewhere, Zimbabwe ended their competition on a high, putting up a mammoth total of 354 for eight to down Scotland in the 11th Place Play-Off.

Sangha Sends Australia through to fifth-place playoff

Australia beat Afghanistan by four wickets with just two balls remaining to march through to their next 2020 ICC U19 World Cup playoff fixture at the North West University Oval in Potchefstroom.

Hero of the match for the Australians was Tanveer Sangha, who hit the penultimate ball of the match for six in the low-scoring thriller.

He secured his side a fifth-place play-off tie against the West Indies on Friday.

Earlier, Sangha took four for 41 with his off spin, as they restricted the Afghans to 191 for seven off their 50 overs with captain Farhan Zakhil top scoring with a brilliant 91 not out.

In response, the Australians lost early wickets before Sam Fanning and Lachlan Hearne gave the innings the much-needed stability against shrewd Afghan bowling changes and captaincy from Zakhil.

Then the scene was set for Sangha's late cameo, as the Australians battled their way to needing 10 runs off the final over.

He heaved seamer Ibrahim Zadran over the mid-wicket boundary to crown one of his finest performances in his young career so far.

"This was a great match. I can't believe it honestly," said Sangha. "It was amazing to win it. We haven't played our best game in the tournament and hopefully we can also have a perfect game against the Windies and showcase what we can do."

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will take on hosts South Africa in a seventh-place playoff fixture on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe run up the scores to leave Scotland behind

Tadiwanashe Marumani lashed an attacking 90 as Zimbabwe ended their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup with a bang by posting the highest score of the competition with a comprehensive 172-run win over Scotland in their 11th Place Play-Off at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.

The Africans amassed a mighty 354 for eight to surpass the previous 2020 competition high of 349 for eight recorded by South Africa against Canada earlier in the competition.

That total proved too big for the Scots as they succumbed for 182 in 33.4 overs – Privilege Chesa proving the thorn in their side with an impressive five for 49.

That concluded a thumping victory and one that ensured the Zimbabweans went home on a high.

“We wanted to finish the competition with a bang, and I think we managed to do that,” Zimbabwean captain Dion Myers said. “I was really pleased with the attitude of the boys today and proves how good we are as a team.”

The skipper and his team were dominant from the start of the contest thanks to big runs from their top order.

After the early loss of Wesley Madhevere for 15, Marumani and Milton Shumba (69) put on 138 for the second wicket.

Myers, who earlier won the toss and batted, then clubbed 40 to help continue the momentum, before Emmanuel Bawa (56) and Dane Schadendorf (35) cashed in on some wayward bowling at the death to set a mighty target for victory.

Scores in brief

Australia Under-19 beat Afghanistan Under-19 by four wickets at the North West University Oval, PotchefstroomAfghanistan 191-7, 50 overs (Farhan Zakhil 91, Abdul Rahman 24; Tanveer Sangha 4-41, Liam Scott 2-26)
Australia 195-6, 49.5 overs (Sam Fanning 62; Abdul Rahman 3-49, Jamshid Mir Alikhil 2-38)

Zimbabwe Under-19s beat Scotland Under 19s by 172 runs, Diamond Oval, KimberleyZimbabwe 354-8, 50 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 90, Milton Shumba 69; Ben Davidson 2-44)
Scotland 182 all out, 33.4 overs (Daniel Cairns 58, Ben Davidson 25; Privilege Chesa 5-49)

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 Fixtures

Plate Final: 3 February: Sri Lanka v England, Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Super League Semi Final 1: 4 February: India v Pakistan, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

7th Place Play-Off: 5 February: South Africa v Afghanistan, Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Super League Semi Final 2: 6 February: New Zealand v Bangladesh, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

5th Place Play-Off: 7 February: West Indies v Australia, Willowmoore Park, Benoni