South Africa win first ICC Under-19 World Cup

Dubai, March 1 :

South Africa won the ICC Under-19 World Cup for the first time, defeating Pakistan by six wickets in a low-scoring one-sided final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium Saturday.

After dismissing Pakistan for 131 runs in 44.3 overs, South Africa reached the target comfortably with 47 balls to spare in 42.1 overs, scoring 134 for four.

Pakistan, deciding to bat, were in deep trouble losing seven wickets for 72 runs before Zafar Gohar (22) and Amad Butt (37) enabled them to cross the 100-run-mark with their 41-run eighth-wicket stand.

Six Pakistani batsmen got to double figures but none of them could go on to make a big score.

Medium-pacer Corbin Bosch claimed four wickets for 15 runs in 7.3 overs.

South Africa grafted their way to victory, thanks mainly to a 71-run third-wicket partnership between top-scorer Aiden Markram (66 not out) and Greg Oldfield (40).

Brief scores:

Pakistan 131 in 44.3 overs (Zafar Gohar 22, Amad Butt 37; Corbin Bosch 4/15, Justin Dill 2/29, Yaseen Valli 2/19)

South Africa 134 for four in 42.1 overs (Aiden Markram 66 not out, Greg Oldfield 40, Karamat Ali 2/24)

(IANS)