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Match facts

Tuesday, 20 October
Start time 9.30am local (0730 GMT)Elton Chigumbura averages 20.97 from 12 innings since his last ODI century, against India in July•Associated Press

The Big Picture

The last time Afghanistan came to Zimbabwe, in 2014, a four-match one-day series was shared 2-2, and indications are that this series could shape up in a similar manner. Afghanistan gave a far better account of themselves in their 58-run victory in the second match, which should give them a renewed sense of belief.Despite the defeat, the morale in Zimbabwe’s squad is still good and there are no panic stations yet. Just a handful of fringe players turned up for an optional net session on Monday as many of the Zimbabweans chose to recharge their batteries, which is fine so long as that translates to energy and enthusiasm on the field. Afghanistan, meanwhile, are buzzing after their win, and Zimbabwe need to match their passion with an aggressive, dominant style of their own.In these sorts of situations, teams often turn to their captain to lead the way. But the problem for Zimbabwe is that their captain is struggling with his own form. Elton Chigumbura is no longer really an allrounder, having bowled just once in his last ten international outings. Of greater concern is his batting, given he has scored just 221 runs at an average of 20.09 in in 12 innings since his unbeaten century against India in July.That is not so far below his career average that it suggests a complete bottoming out of his form, but more worrying is his strike rate. Apart from one innings against Pakistan, Chigumbura has not been middling the ball; he had a strike rate of 59.34 in the third ODI against Ireland, and failed to score a single boundary in his 54-ball 25 against Afghanistan on Sunday. It was an innings that was somewhat dictated by circumstance, and one sensed that Chigumbura failed to execute a Dhoni-style late assault. The sooner Chigumbura gets his strut and swagger back, the better for him and his team.International football at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday clashed directly with the cricket, resulting in a lower than normal turnout for a weekend match in this cricket-starved city, and mid-week games are never that well attended, so Zimbabwe are going to have to raise themselves without massive support from the stands.

Form Guide (Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Zimbabwe LWLWW
Afghanistan WLLLL

In the spotlight

Luke Jongwe is one of Zimbabwe’s brightest young finds. Though he had an off day with the ball on Sunday, he has achieved his best returns for Zimbabwe with both bat and ball in this series, taking 3 for 16 in the first game and attempting a fightback with his exuberant 33-ball 46 in the second. As Chigumbura’s role with the ball fades, Zimbabwe are on the look-out for an allrounder and Jongwe appears the most likely candidate.Before Mohammad Nabi’s maiden effort on Sunday, no other Afghanistan batsman had hit an ODI hundred this year. That is partly due to the paucity of their international engagements, but it is also indicative of the way their batsmen tend to play, slipping naturally into a mode of all-out attack. Nabi is no different, and his six towering sixes on Sunday are a testament to that, but his innings also showed what a galvanising effect one long innings can have on the rest of the team. He has set an example for the rest of the top order to follow.

Team news

Sean Williams spent the Sunday lunch break receiving throwdowns from batting coach Andrew Waller, under the supervision of Dav Whatmore, and on Monday morning, he passed a fitness test. It seems natural that Williams will slot right back into Zimbabwe’s XI to strengthen the batting. But what is less clear is who will miss out when he comes back. Tendai Chisoro has not done much wrong in the two games he has played, so it may be offspinner John Nyumbu who makes way.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Tino Mutombodzi, 8 Luke Jongwe, 9 Tendai Chisoro, 10 Wellington Masakadza, 11 Tinashe Panyangara.After their sterling performance in the second game, Afghanistan’s XI sure ain’t broke, so there’s no real reason to fix it. The form of middle-order batsman Nawroz Mangal on this tour will, however, soon become a concern.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Noor Ali Zadran, 2 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 3 Mohammad Nabi, 4 Asghar Stanikzai (capt), 5 Nawroz Mangal, 6 Samiullah Shenwari, 7 Najibullah Zadran, 8 Amir Hamza, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Dawlat Zadran, 11 Aftab Alam.

Pitch and conditions

Tuesday is expected to be hot and sunny, though there may be some cloud cover. The fresh pitch in use for the third match should retain its typical Queens Sports Club character, and the best time for batting will be between late-morning and mid-afternoon, with a hint of early movement for the seamers and a touch more grip for the spinners in the afternoon. There was also definite reverse swing for Afghanistan late on Sunday afternoon. Generally, though, it should be a good strip to bat on.

Stats and trivia

• Afghanistan’s victory batting first bucks the trend at Queens Sports Club. In 63 ODIs at the venue, 37 have been won by the side fielding first, with only 23 won by the side batting first. There has also been a tie, while two games ended as a no-result.
• Aftab Alam has the best record at the venue for an Afghanistan bowler. He has picked up seven wickets at 20.42 and has an economy rate of 4.66 in the four matches he has played here.
• Elton Chigumbura needs 90 more runs to become the sixth Zimbabwean to score 4000 or more runs in ODIs.

Quotes

“I thank my coach and captain for giving me a chance at No. 3. It was a good decision for me and for my team.” revels in the batting promotion that lead to his first hundred in ODIs.”When I got to the wicket I said to Elton ‘I’m just going to hang around a bit and see how it goes from there.'”What apparently said to his captain before clubbing seven fours and a six in his blazing knock.

Harry Brook has pledged to temper his approach against Australia after a frantic start to the Ashes, after Joe Root warned Australia that Brook is a “generational player” who “is going to deliver at some point” in the series.Brook, who is on his first Ashes tour, made 52, 0, 31 and 15 in the first two Tests of the series and acknowledged that two of his dismissals – caught behind driving at a back-of-a-length ball in the second innings in Perth, and edging a booming drive to second slip off Mitchell Starc in the first innings in Brisbane – have been the result of “shocking shots”.Related

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Thirty-two Tests into his England career, Brook averages 55.05 with a rollicking strike rate of 87.36 and has thrived when counter-attacking from No. 5. But his approach has bordered on recklessness in this series, not least when facing Starc in the twilight at the Gabba, and he recognised that he might have to “rein it in a little bit” against Australia’s “highly-skilled” attack.”It hasn’t been an ideal series,” Brook said on Monday, after England trained at Adelaide Oval. “Sometimes, I’ve got to rein it in a little bit: learn when to absorb the pressure a little bit more, and realise when the opportunity arises to put the pressure back on them. I feel like I haven’t done that as well as I usually do. I just haven’t identified those situations well enough.”Most of the time when I’ve been overly aggressive is when we’ve lost early wickets and I’ve tried to counter-punch and put them back under pressure. I tried to do that in Perth in the first innings: I played quite nicely and gloved down the leg side.”I try to read situations as well as possible, and then it all depends on my execution. And so far [in this series], my execution hasn’t been as good as it has been at the start of my career.”Brook is inactive on social media and said that he has not seen or read any of the criticism that he has received during this series, which has largely focused on those two dismissals. But he has reflected on both shots and acknowledged that he would have been better served by playing differently.Guess Joe Root isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he has been England’s top-scorer this Ashes•Getty Images

“They were shocking shots,” Brook said. “I’ll admit that every day of the week, especially that one in Perth: it was nearly a bouncer and I tried to drive it. It was just bad batting. The one in Brisbane, I’ve tried to hit for six.”That’s what I mean when I try to say that I need to rein it in a little bit. I can almost just take that and hit it for one and get down the other end. Whoever else is in with me at the other end can just get on strike and just keep trying to rotate.”But I’ll be the first person to stand up and say that they were bad shots. I don’t regret them, but if I was there again, I would try and play it slightly differently.”Much of Brook’s success in his first innings of the series came when using his feet to charge Australia’s fast bowlers, a gameplan which was neutralised by Alex Carey standing up to the stumps in Brisbane. But he hinted that he would again look to disrupt Australia’s “highly-skilled” attack in Adelaide this week.”You can’t take this bowling attack lightly: they very rarely miss,” Brook said. “You’ve got to try and create your own bad balls. Doing that might be me running down; it might be me changing my guard or whatever. Look, they don’t miss often and you’ve got to tip your hat to them sometimes. They’ve bowled really well in this series.”Root, meanwhile, gave a strong endorsement of his Yorkshire and England team-mate, comparing him to Kevin Pietersen and backing him to achieve “something very special” in the final three Tests of the series.”He can kill teams with a whisper,” Root told the podcast. “Harry Brook is a generational player, and he is going to deliver at some point in this series. You watch out. He is a match-winner. If he gets himself in and set at some point in this series, he’s going to go and do something very special for us.”It’s a bit like Pietersen. He does things that other players can’t do. That’s the reason why he averages 55, and why he’s done so many special things in his short career until now: because of his mind, and the way that he reads the game.”Brook, England’s vice-captain, also said that the team’s mid-series break in Noosa had allowed them to “refresh” ahead of the third Test and escape the pressure of an Ashes tour. “We tried to stay away from cricket as much as possible. We just wanted to go there and have a good time,” he said.”We had a belting time, and it probably came at the right time when we’re two-nil down. I know most people won’t think that, but to get away from the game and try to refresh as much as possible after a tough start to the series, hopefully that can help us leading into this game.”

It’s time for “something very drastic” to be done to West Indies cricket, to get it back on track. The strong words came yesterday from Barbados’ sole living National Hero, iconic cricketing allrounder Sir Garfield Sobers.After participating in the opening ceremony of the National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament, Sir Garry spoke to The Nation about the beleagured team and its lacklustre performance in recent years.Admonishing the team, he said change was vital. “They have to start thinking of West Indies cricket and start concentrating on how they are going to get it back to where it used to be,” he charged. Although he recognised “it’s not going to be easy”, he chided the players about their attitudes.”Players have to start thinking about the game as a team game and go out there and try and play the best for their team and forget self performances,” Sir Garry emphasised. He also reminded players of the fans and for whom they were playing. “Cricket in the West Indies is very important to the people in the West Indies, even if the players don’t think it’s important to them.”Offering a solution for the team’s poor showing recently, he said: “Getting the players they think have passed involved is key. A lot of the young [players] think players like myself, Sir Everton Weekes and Wes Hall have passed and have nothing to pass on, but that is where they are wrong.”He underscored the wealth of experience the icons have and suggested tapping into that unused resource. “I think we have more to pass on. We’ve been through it, we know what it’s like, we know how to build a team and what a team needs to win.”Although disappointed with the current state of affairs of cricket in the region, Sir Garry was hopeful. “I think it will come around to that. The past will come around to the present.”

Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire who accused Pakistan of ball tamperingduring the Oval Test in August against England this summer, has beenbanned from umpiring in internationals. The announcement was made by PercySonn, the ICC president, at a press conference in Mumbai at the end of atwo-day ICC meeting.”The board has discussed this matter with great sincerity,” said Sonn,”and gave lots of attention to it and they’ve come to the conclusion thatthey’ve lost confidence in Mr Hair. They’ve given instructions to themanagement to discuss Mr Hair’s future with him. I think we owe Mr Hairthe courtesy of allowing his future to be discussed by him with ourmanagement before we go anywhere further in the matter. He shall not beallowed to officiate in any future international games until the end ofthis contract.”However, both Malcom Speed, the CEO of the ICC, and Sonn made it clearthat there was “no issue” about the result of The Oval Test. “With regardto compensation, there is a claim by the ECB against the PCB. That isunresolved. It may end up being referred to the ICC disputes resolutioncommittee but at this stage there’s been no request for that to happen.”Both also confirmed that the future of Billy Doctrove, the other umpireinvolved the Oval drama, was secure adding, “The executive board didn’tdiscuss Doctrove”.It was widely rumoured yesterday that Hair’s future was in doubt, when areliable source at the ICC leaked the news to a TV station in India. “TheAsian bloc comprising India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh tabled amotion at the meeting that Hair be taken off the panel,” the source said.”The motion was put to vote and was passed by a 7-3 majority. The fourAsian nations plus South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies votedagainst Hair. England, Australia and New Zealand wanted him to continue.”Pressure from the four-nation Asian bloc has seemingly forced the ICC’shand and Hair will no longer be permitted to officiate in internationalsinvolving any full member side. Speed revealed that he’d spoken to Hairlast night, after the decision was taken and added that they will make aneffort to protect Hair’s interests. “I’ve said a number of times thatI hope we can find a way for Darrell to umpire,” he said. “The board hasresolved that they don’t wish Darrell Hair is appointed to umpireinternational matches. I spoke to Darrell yesterday after the decision wasmade. I told him about it and he was very disappointed. David Richardson,who is the ICC General Manager of Cricket, and myself will speak toDarrell over the next few days and talk about what it means to him.”ICC has a number of lawyers on staff, who are well aware of our legalposition,” he continued when asked if the ICC had considered the legalrecourse that Hair might consider. “It’s correct that Hair is contractedtill March 2008. But we need a little time to discuss the matter with him,to protect whatever interests he has.”Speed also made it clear that this wasn’t a decision taken at the spur ofthe moment, confirming that the board had considered the issue in detail.”The ICC board – which consists of 13 representatives from the membercountries – was presented with a very detailed paper that rain into 15-20page. The board certainly had a lot of information before it started itsprocedure yesterday. They had two hours of discussion on the issue. As itwas reported the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had lodged a formal chargeunder the ICC code of conduct. That was also considered by the board. Thiswas no knee-jerk reaction. The board had a good deal of information infront of it as is the case of any decision on the board.”

David Morgan, the chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board, has surprisingly revealed that he will push for a return to three-day cricket and a one-division Championship. The Championship was split into two divisions in 2001, and Morgan has made no secret of his belief that a single division would be preferable.Speaking in the Independent on Sunday, Morgan said that there was “real merit in a single Championship, where winning the title would impress everybody. To have a two-division Championship in which Lancashire and Yorkshire don’t play each other is short-changing the game and the public. If you look at the last few years you will have seen by accident the best bowlers in one division and the best batsmen in the other. What the hell is the point in that?”While there will be changes in 2006, it is little more than tinkering, with a reduction in the number of sides promoted and relegated from three to two.”The jury is definitely out on two divisions,” Morgan continued. “The former board discussed it informally and it is something we must address.”What will raise more eyebrows is Morgan’s desire to go back to three-day matches, with 120 overs-a-day minimum as opposed to the present requirement of 104 overs. “It would give the players some rest and it might do wonders to speed to over-rate, a real cause for concern,” he explained. When a minimum over number was first implemented in the 1980s it was set at 120, but it was soon reduced as matches regularly ran an hour or more past the scheduled close.Many county members would support Morgan. The four-day format has not been popular with them, and thoughtless scheduling has not helped with many counties barely playing any first-class cricket at weekends.

Muttiah Muralitharan has spoken out yet again as the chucking controversy rumbles on. He says that despite years of suffering comments about his action, science has finally vindicated what he already knew – that he is not a chucker.”For years I have suffered at the hands of the prominent cricketers past and present who have categorically stated that I am a ‘chucker’,” Murali said in a statement issued through his agent. “I have attempted to maintain my dignity in the face of these unjustified allegations, and have tried to keep away from personal controversy pending the results of the recent ICC committee’s investigation and analysis of the entire issue.”And he says that science has finally cleared his name. “The people who have accused me are ignorant of the biomechanics of the arm. I have always known that I am innocent of the accusation of chucking. I have never been never scared to be scrutinised by experts, cameras or commentators. I believe that science has vindicated me.”

Gus Logie, the new coach of West Indies, is no stranger to the job. He has coached the national team at the under-15, under-19 and A-team levels, and served as interim coach during the recent home series against Australia and Sri Lanka. An extremely agile fielder during his playing days, Logie is clear about his objective: rebuilding West Indian cricket to its former glory. Speaking to Wisden CricInfo on the telephone, Logie told Nagraj Gollapudi about his new job, the West Indian team, and the state of West Indies cricket in general.How important is this latest appointment to you?
I think it is an important role – not only for me personally, but for West Indies cricket. I have been involved with coaching young people in the Caribbean at different levels of their development – under-15, under-19 and the A team – so I feel that it is a continuation [for me] of providing inputs at the national level. I think it is a great opportunity and hopefully we can make a success out of it in the not-too-distant future.How strong is the young talent in the Caribbean?
We have tremendous young talent, but that talent needs development – not just in cricketing terms, but all-round development. And that is not just in the context of the coach-player relationship, but society, too, has a role to play and so does everyone responsible with cricket in the Caribbean. All the stakeholders need to get on board and make sure that they take the right decisions, create the right environment and the right atmosphere so that our players are developed along the right lines.It’s long been said that the regional coaches are not certified and so the wards who turn up to play are not strong in their fundamentals. Do you agree with that?
I don’t believe in that. We didn’t have certified or qualified coaches when West Indies produced great players in the past. In this advanced age, it is a global village now and all the information is there for everyone to look at. You can’t just have only one specific individual in one area. During my time, a village individual who knew something about coaching used to spend time with us [the players], read us some coaching books and help us along, whereas now it’s an open book. Everybody is aware of what is needed and there are players ready to share ideas with the young ones. At the end of the day the retention of what you’ve learnt is very important and for that our education system has to improve. If you show young players ways of doing things and if they can’t retain that knowledge, then we have a problem. We need to improve on all fronts to get the right individuals in place.Viv Richards has blasted coaches in the Caribbean for not properly preparing young cricketers to make the transition from domestic to international level. Do you agree?
I wouldn’t agree or disagree with another player’s opinion. But as a coach, I would like the state of affairs to change and for the coaches to have access to technology. The players keep coming and going in and out of the team so the coach doesn’t have a player for an extended length of time. For example, a bunch of 14 or 15 is selected to play a tournament for a period of four to five weeks; but then, as coach, I don’t have enough information on a player of what he did at the school-level or club-level, as here in the Caribbean we don’t monitor a player’s history. So at the end of the day whatever information is collected about a player – if he is player of substance – by the coach has to be done in a very short period of time. I wouldn’t blame the coaches.Why do you think West Indies cricket lost its way in the last decade?
I think our economies have shrunk in some ways. At the stage when we were dominating the game, which was a crucial era, our economies were improving. Now we are no longer the best and we need to improve in terms of overall facilities. There’s a lot of criticism in that area – like it’s a fact that we go and play day-and-night games outside, but we can’t even host one day-and-night match in the Caribbean. Why is that? We have been champions for decades and former stars and like-minded people have stressed on the improvement of facilities. The climate here is such that it rains for almost six months of a year in some parts, but there are no indoor facilities for players to train.With the economy on a downswing, there are hardly any facilities one can avail of. The club facilities are limited, and you don’t have access to the gym after a day’s play where you can work out. So you need support from all sectors of society to make sure that youngsters get the best of the facilities, which are around the corner. If that’s not there they cannot go to England where many of our best players competed in the county circuit. Nowadays, there is no one from the Caribbean playing county cricket in England. So a young player will not have the opportunity to develop into a complete professional quickly compared to his predecessors. Something has to be done – of course, it will take time.Then there is the problem of fast bowlers. Why can’t West Indies produce quality quickies anymore?
I don’t think [that is] so. The problem is of pitches, which need to improve to encourage the fast bowlers again. I have seen some young fast bowlers, but it is very difficult to bowl on the kind of pitches that exist in the Caribbean today. This is one area that needs attention. When we look back in the last year we have performed well in Antigua and then in our last Test against Sri Lanka in Jamaica which was a good wicket. Our young pace attack picked up wickets there, which proves that if the wickets are conducive our bowlers can provide the goods.So the pitches have slowed down?
They are becoming a lot slower. I wouldn’t like to say why – whether the soil has got to do something with it or if it is lack of preparation. But we all know that it is an issue which needs to be addressed quickly. It is possible to prepare good tracks that will be helpful to both batsmen and bowlers, as we saw in Jamaica and Antigua. It is something the other Caribbean countries may have to take note of.Is there a pool of young talent from which you can pick when needed?
At this point of time we have Jerome Taylor, who has made a good impression. So has Fidel Edwards, who bowled impressively in his debut Test. Then there are Andrew Richardson, Tino Best, Darren Powell and Ravi Rampal, who has excelled at all levels (Under-15 and Under-19) before showing his heroics in the under-19 World Cup. So there are quite a few youngsters who are good and with continual development programmes I am sure we could have six to seven players waiting in the stable to have a go anytime.What gave you the confidence to go into the Jamaica Test against Sri Lanka with two greenhorns in Edwards and Taylor?
Well, I think when we looked at what had happened in the past we thought that the conditions were ideal to give the two a chance. They were young, enthusiastic, aggressive, fit and they showed their keenness during the practice sessions – all qualities needed in a good bowler, and the captain, coach and the selection committee couldn’t have asked for more. Whatever they lacked in experience they made up for with courage and attitudeHave there been any changes after Richards became the chairman of selectors?
I don’t think at this point of time one can pass judgement across the board, but there have been positives. What we would like is to have more consultations between all parties at the end of the day and Viv’s done a good job in that direction.What do you think about Lara’s captaincy?
He has matured a lot. He is getting more involved with what is happening in and around the team. He is a motivation to younger players and is leading from the front. He has a good rapport with the management.Do you see a revival of the Windies cricket under him?
I certainly see a revival of West Indies cricket – whether it’s under Brian, or by the players. At the end of the day we all have a responsibility where each player needs to support the other. If each one knows what has to be done, is committed to it and the work ethic improves then we need to give credit to all the players about what has happened so far.Gus, you were an extremely good fielder in your time. But the present West Indies lot are a poor fielding unit. How will you improve on that?
There’s no substitute for hard work and going out there and working on your individual skills. Also, in the near future, the WICB should organise more fielding camps where the players can work on the technical skills and concentration levels, as a momentary lapse can cost dearly in a match situation. The players themselves should go out in the ground and throw themselves around, but then the state of the grounds in the Caribbean doesn’t give you that liberty.Do you think the Shell Academy – nursery of West Indies cricket – is serving its purpose?
Certainly. I wouldn’t like to comment [further] at this point of time.West Indies have had seven full-time coaches – all former players – from 1992 until now. What is it that you bring to the job?
All I can do is bring forth my philosophy of cricket – a philosophy we have been successful with, in terms of ensuring a certain level of commitment and work ethic among all team members. It’s important that all players respect one-another and play as a unit. My job will be to create an environment which the players are comfortable with, and one which allows them to play to the best of their abilities. We have seen some positive movement in that regard, and would like to continue to move in that direction.Are you in favour of having assistant coaches?
Oh, yes. I would be happy to have individual coaches, for bowling and batting, or anyone in general as it is very difficult to individually handle 15 players – especially if it is a long tour. And during match days it is really difficult to attend to individual problems so yes, there’s room for an assistant. And there are indications that an assistant will be appointed.

IN MEMORIAM.Sonny Khemraj, father of Richie Khemraj, New Brunswick Cricket Association President and CCA Director, passed away suddenly in his sleep in Toronto. An avid cricketer and supporter, the CCA Board and Executive extends our deepest sympathy to Richie and the extended Khemraj family in this sudden and unexpected loss of their loving head of household.We also extend heartfelt sympathies to Past President James Siew and family on the sudden death of his brother Bal Siew. Bal died in West Palm Beach, Florida after a short illness.The CCA also extends our sympathies to the Family and friends of Franklyn “Dickie” Martin, who also passed away peacefully in his sleep. Dickie was an outstanding cricket aficionado and his incisive commentary, incredible wit and soulful delivery will be sadly missed in the Toronto & District Cricket Association and other Canadian games.Dickie’s funeral will be held next Saturday 20th at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1 block south of the Highway 401 on Victoria Park.Those wishing to pay their respects can do so on Friday 19th at the Ogden Funeral Home from 2-4 and from 7-9p.m. Ogden Funeral Home is located at 4164 Sheppard Ave. E. – near Midland Ave.May they rest in peace.As one family counsels, “do not go to bed angry”. In the midst of life, we can easily be called to account.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: John Mooney struck a fifty and put up a crucial stand with Kevin O’Brien•ICC/Sander Tholen

Half-centuries from Kevin O’Brien and John Mooney ensured that Ireland held on for a draw against Zimbabwe A in Harare. Zimbabwe A, who began the day at 320 for 6 in their second innings, added just 26 more runs to that total before declaring. It set Ireland a target of 386 and meant the hosts had more than 80 overs to take 10 wickets and seal a victory.Those hopes were further raised when regular blows from Brian Vitori (2 for 51) and Tatenda Mupunga (2 for 52) reduced Ireland to 141 for 5, with at least 35 more overs left in the day. However, Kevin O’Brien and Mooney held firm, batting together for more than two overs to shepherd their team to safety. Kevin O’Brien hit nine fours for his 56 not out, while Mooney’s unbeaten 65 featured 11 fours. The pair’s unbroken 130-run stand took Ireland to 271 for 5 before stumps were called.

Group DIndia Under-19 opener Rishabh Pant had the fastest recorded U-19 international century comfortably in his sights when he was dismissed for 78 off 24 balls, having blown Nepal Under-19 away in a small chase. Pant did break the record for the fastest recorded U-19 fifty though, getting there in 18 balls, one faster than the previous mark. He added 124 in 9.1 overs with his captain Ishan Kishan, who scored 52 off 40 balls. India eventually chased down Nepal’s score of 169 with 179 balls to spare in Mirpur.Pant attacked from the start, slogging the first ball of the innings to the midwicket boundary, and did not relent. He targeted the arc between deep square leg and long-on with a series of pulls and lofts, paying little heed to whether the delivery demanded caution. Nepal were rattled and fed him shorter lengths at hittable pace and Pant feasted. Kishan had been quieter initially, but once the spinners came on he used his feet superbly, stepping out of this crease to get to the pitch of the ball and swinging without inhibition. Pant began to drive, slap and loft over the off side too as his range expanded against a wilting attack. His strike rate of 325 meant that had he scored 22 more runs in singles Pant would have still broken the record for the fastest u-19 hundred by seven deliveries.India’s seven-wicket victory was set up by their bowlers, though, who restricted Nepal to 160 in a match shortened to 48 overs a side because of early-morning fog. Opener Sandeep Sunar top scored with 37 but the rest of the top four batsmen were dismissed in single digits. They had also slogged at India’s attack but had no success. Seamer Avesh Khan took 3 for 34, while left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar and offspinner Washington Sundar took two apiece.New Zealand Under-19s ended the group stage with a consolation win, as a 141-run partnership between Finn Allen and Dale Phillips steered them to a four-wicket win over Ireland Under-19s in Fatullah. Phillips joined Allen after seamer Rory Anders had picked up four wickets to reduce New Zealand to 45 for 4 in pursuit of 213.The pair got the chase back on track with a brisk partnership spanning 20.4 overs, with Phillips scoring 58 off 66 balls (7×4) before falling lbw to Fiachra Tucker. Then, with New Zealand a mere seven runs from victory, Tucker dismissed Allen for 97 off 76 balls (9×4, 4×6), before Rachin Ravindra and Nathan Smith took them home with 47 balls remaining.Sent in to bat, Ireland got to 100 for 1, thanks to an 85-run second-wicket stand between Jack Tector (56 off 83) and Adam Dennison (46 off 56), before spinners Ravindra and Josh Finnie picked up three wickets apiece and engineered a slump that saw them lose their last nine wickets for 112 runs.Group BA half-century from Tariq Stanikzai gave Afghanistan Under-19s their first win of the tournament, lifting them to a four-wicket win in a low-scoring match against Canada Under-19s in Sylhet. Stanikzai scored 56 off 48 balls, with nine fours and a six, as Afghanistan chased down a target of 148 in only 24.1 overs. They lost a few wickets while doing so, though, with left-arm spinner Shlok Patel and offspinner Miraj Patel sharing five wickets between them.Having chosen to bat, Canada lost three of their top four for ducks and slipped to 31 for 4 before their captain Abraash Khan (33) and Arslan Khan (38) put on the only substantial partnership of their innings, 62 for the fifth wicket. Wickets fell steadily thereafter, with No. 9 Kurt Ramdath’s 20 the next-highest score of the innings, as Canada were bowled out for 147 off the last ball of their allotted 50 overs. Medium-pacer Muslim Musa and offspinner Shamsurrahman picked up three wickets each for Afghanistan.