31 Jan 2016

NZ cricketers crash out of U-19 World Cup

6:05 am on 31 January 2016

The New Zealand under 19 cricketers have failed to qualify for the knock out stages of their World Cup in Bangladesh following a 120 run loss to India.

Captain Josh Finnie and batsman Glen Philips

Captain Josh Finnie and batsman Glen Philips Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan

Four Asian sides - India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - advanced to the Super League quarter-finals with their second successive wins.

India and Nepal, which took the two top spots in Group D at the expense of New Zealand and Ireland, will clash tomorrow in their last league match to decide the group winner.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka advanced from Group B, which also included Afghanistan and Canada, and will play each other on Wednesday, to determine who tops the group.

Nepal rode on a five-wicket haul by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane - which included the first hat-trick in the tournament - to defeat Ireland by eight wickets and confirm its maiden appearance in the quarter-finals.

Ireland was tied down to 131 for nine after electing to bat and Nepal, which had stunned New Zealand in its opening match, coasted home in the 26th over with Yogendra Karki making 61.

India, sent into bat by New Zealand in Mirpur, piled up 258 for eight with Sarfaraz Khan top-scoring with 74 for the second time in the competition.

Rishabh Pant made 57 and Armaan Jaffer scored 46.

Mahipal Lomror stood out with a fine all-round display as he followed up his 45 with the bat with five for 47, which bundled New Zealand out for 138 in the 32nd over.

Seamer Avesh Kumar, who took three wickets in his first four overs to reduce the New Zealanders to five for three, finished with four for 32.

He was later declared player of the match.

"Our first aim to make the quarter-finals has been realised, but we cannot afford to relax," said India captain Ishan Kishan.

"We need to top the group, so the match against Nepal will be very important.

"I am confident because the batsmen are in form and the bowlers too are doing well. It is good that the seamers and spinners have got used to conditions here."

Sri Lanka survived a tense run-chase by Afghanistan before clinching victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

-RNZ