BRISBANE: Former world champions Pakistan is confident of beating New Zealand in its last round match on Thursday at John Blanck Oval in Buderim to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash with arch-rival India in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2012.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand have already qualified for the quarter-finals but a win for Pakistan could possibly set up the Super League quarter-final against rival India on Monday, Aug 20.

However, to make it happen, two-time former champion India will also have to beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a Group C fixture at Endeavour Park 1.

Meanwhile, South Africa qualified for the Super League quarter-final of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup after defeating Sri Lanka by four wickets at the Peter Burge Oval here on Wednesday.

Corne Dry (four for 16), Calvin Savage (two for 30) and Solo Nqweni (two for 51) shared eight wickets between them to skittle out Sri Lanka for 150 in 37.4 overs. In their reply, captain Chad Bowes (46) and Theunis de Bruyn (42) put on 80 for the third wicket as South Africa achieved the target in 33 overs to finish on top of Group ‘D’ standings with six points.

The result has provided Bangladesh with an opportunity to qualify for the Super League quarter-final as they play a winless Namibia at the Peter Burge Oval. If Bangladesh win, it will mean Sri Lanka will participate in the Plate Championship, because the top two sides from all the four groups qualify for the Super League quarter-finals. The bottom two sides compete in the Plate Championship.

South Africa’s last-eight Super League round opponents will only be confirmed after Thursday’s match between England and Nepal. The two sides go head to head at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville.

Wednesday’s two other matches saw close finishes, with Ireland getting the better of Nepal in Group ‘A’ by 14 runs at the Endeavour Park No 1 in Townsville, and Afghanistan holding their nerves to beat Scotland by 10 runs in the Group ‘B’ fixture at the John Blanch Oval in Buderim.

Brief scores: At Endeavour Park No 1, Townsville: Group ‘A’ — Ireland beat Nepal by 14 runs.

IRELAND 185-8 in 50 overs (Shane Getkate 47, Andy McBrine 41, Tyrone Kane 39 not out; Rahul Vishvakarma 2-31, Avinash Karn 2-37, Bhuvan Karki 2-43); NEPAL 171 in 49.3 overs (Rahul Vishvakarma 32, Subhash Khakurel 31, Pradeep Airee 29; George Dockrell 4-22).

At John Blanch Oval, Buderim: Group ‘B’ — Afghanistan beat Scotland by 10 runs.

AFGHANISTAN 191 in 48.3 overs (Javed Ahmadi 71, Afsar Khan 44; Gavin Main 4-26, Ruaidhri Smith 4-45); SCOTLAND 181 in 49.2 overs (Ross McLean 67, Freddie Coleman 30; Sayed Shirzad 3-33, Aftab Alam 2-45).

At Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane: Group ‘D’ — South Africa beat Sri Lanka by four wickets.

SRI LANKA 150 in 37.4 overs (Pulina Tharanga 50 not out; Corne Dry 4-16, Calvin Savage 2-30, Solo Nqweni 2-51); SOUTH AFRICA 153-6 in 33 overs (Chad Bowes 46, Theunis de Bruyn 42; Tharindu Kaushal 3-28, Sanitha de Mel 2-32).

Thursday’s fixtures: England v Nepal (Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville); Pakistan v New Zealand (John Blanch Oval, Buderim); India v Papua New Guinea (Endeavour Park No 1, Townsville); West Indies v Zimbabwe (Endeavour Park No 2, Townsville); Bangladesh v Namibia (Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane).—Agencies