Impressive Pakistan beat 2020 champions Bangladesh; final World Cup standings take shape

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An excellent backs-to-the-wall century from Bangladesh number five Ariful Islam helped the Tigers scrape to 175 all out in 49.2 overs.

But Pakistan made relatively easy work of the chase, knocking it off for the loss of four wickets with 21 balls still remaining.

Pakistan medium pacer Awais Ali was in the wickets again early in the game, dismissing Mahfijul Islam and Aich Mollah early as Bangladesh slumped to 23/3.

The wickets continued to fall as Pakistan’s spinners got a stranglehold in the game, with Mehran Mumtaz particularly impressive with his 3/16 from ten overs.

But 17-year-old Ariful Islam ensured that his team stayed in the game, hitting five fours and four sixes in his 100 from 119 balls, falling in the penultimate over as he looked for some quick late runs.

In reply Pakistan’s openers put them in complete control with a 76-run opening stand, as Muhammad Shehzad (36) and Haseebullah Khan (79) broke the back of the chase.

Irfan Khan (24) and Adbul Faseeh (22*) continued Pakistan’s serene progress to the target, with a wide down the leg side securing the win in underwhelming circumstances with three and half overs still remaining.

Pakistan’s win means they will face Sri Lanka in the fifth-place playoff on Thursday, while Bangladesh drop into the seventh-place playoff against South Africa.

UAE ease past Ireland in Plate final

United Arab Emirates brought their best ever ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup to an end in style with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Ireland to win the Plate.

Ireland had opted to bat first after winning the toss, but were quickly in trouble when captain Tim Tector became the second of Jash Giyanani’s two early scalps.

Philippus le Roux salvaged a similar situation against Canada earlier in the tournament, but he could make just 14 on this occasion as wickets continued to fall to UAE’s spinners at regular intervals, with only in-form opener Jack Dickson managing to stick around.

The wicketkeeper, who made 78 not out against Zimbabwe in the previous game, scrapped his way to a gutsy 40 before falling to Dhruv Panashar.

And Reuben Wilson was the final wicket to fall as Ireland were dismissed for 122 with four overs still available.

Ireland’s hopes of defending their modest total were briefly raised when Parashar was clean bowled by Jamie Forbes with the score on 41, but Kai Smith and Punya Mehra quickly settled in for UAE.

Smith hit seven boundaries before falling for 49, while Mehra finished with a flourish, striking the final ball of the 26th over for six to take his side past their target and boosting his own total to 48*.

UAE’s victory secured a ninth-place finish, beating their previous U19 World Cup best of 12th.

Bishop and Wickham restore West Indies pride

Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham each struck centuries as West Indies ended their tournament on a high note with an eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the 11th-place playoff.

The hosts have had a mixed tournament, but came out determined to finish strongly, with Johann Layne quickly reducing Zimbabwe to 25/2.

Steven Saul and Brian Bennett steadied the ship and when Saul fell for 34, Bennett joined forces with twin brother David to put together an excellent fourth-wicket stand.

The Bennett brothers both passed half-centuries and their partnership reached 102 when Brian was caught behind for 62, leaving David to continue the charge alongside Connor Mitchell.

D. Bennett finished unbeaten on 77 and Mitchell plundered a 26-ball 42 not out as Zimbabwe put together a competitive score of 256/4.

But Bishop and Wickham made a potentially tricky chase look extremely simple after opener and captain Matthew Nandu had fallen early.

The pair looked in fine touch, with Wickham striking 17 fours to beat his partner to three figures.

He soon fell for 104, but Bishop was still there at the end, finishing unbeaten on 112 from 121 balls with 11 fours and a six.

It was left to Rivaldo Clarke to strike the winning runs and finish an underwhelming tournament of the West Indies on a positive note.

Final Tournament Standings

• 1st to 8th - TBC
• 9th – United Arab Emirates
• 10th – Ireland
• 11th – West Indies
• 12th – Zimbabwe
• 13th – Uganda
• 14th – Scotland
• 15th – Canada
• 16th – PNG