CHITTAGONG: West Indies took the last quarter-final spot in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup with a thrilling, but controversial, two-run win over Zimbabwe on Tuesday that gave them second place in Group ‘C’ behind England.

Zimbabwe, chasing the West Indies’ 226-9-, began the last over needing just three runs to win with one wicket in hand amid mounting tension in Chittagong.

But, West Indies seamer Keemo Paul whipped off the bails before sending down the first ball, catching non-striker Richard Ngarava out of his crease. The decision was referred to the TV umpire Tim Robinson who declared Ngarava run-out.

The last-wicket incident proved an anti-climax to what had been an absorbing do-or-die contest between two valiant teams attempting to nail a quarter-final berth.

Zimbabwe, in their run-chase, were reduced to 147-6 following a four-wicket haul by fast bowler Alzaari Joseph, before Adam Keefe (43) and Wesley Madhevere (21) led a remarkable fightback by adding 62 for the seventh wicket.

Shamar Springer, who had top-scored with 61 in the West Indies innings, turned his team’s hero with the ball by dismissing both batsmen to finish with 2-16 in four overs.

The West Indies will take on the winners of Wednesday’s last league match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the fourth quarter-final in Fatullah next Monday, while Zimbabwe will play Canada in the Plate Championships quarter-final in Cox’s Bazar on this Friday.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh topped Group ‘A’ with an eight-wicket demolition of second-placed Namibia, ending the match in Cox’s Bazar in one session itself.

Namibia were dismissed for 65 in 32.5 overs after being sent into bat by Bangladesh with Saleh Ahmed, skipper Mehidy Hasan and Ariful Islam claiming two wickets each.

Bangladesh lost Pinak Ghosh in the first over, but an unbeaten 34 from Joyraz Sheik steered the hosts to an easy victory in the 16th over.

Bangladesh ended the league with three successive wins and will now play surprise qualifiers Nepal in the first quarter-final in Mirpur on Friday, while another qualifiers Namibia, who knocked out defending champions South Africa, will take on India on Saturday in Fatullah for a place in the semi-finals.

South Africa finished third in the group after a 10-wicket rout of Scotland in Cox’s Bazar, the first win in the tournament for skipper Tony de Zorzi’s men.

Electing to field, South Africa bowled out Scotland for 127 with Dayyaan Galiem, Wiaan Mulder, Sean Whitehead and de Zorzi taking two wickets each.

The South Africans raced to victory in 29 overs without losing a wicket as openers Kyle Verreynne and Liam Smith returned unbeaten with identical scores of 64 not out and in the same number of deliveries (87).

In the Plate Championship quarter-finals, South Africa will play Ireland on Thursday and on the same day, Scotland will meet New Zealand.

Tuesday’s results:

Group ‘A’:

Bangladesh beat Namibia by eight wickets Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox’s Bazar.

NAMIBIA 65 in 32.5 overs (N. Davin 19; Ariful Islam 2-9, Saleh Ahmed 2-10, Mehidy Hasan 2-12); BANGLADESH 66-2 in 16 overs (Joyraz Sheik 34 not out; F. Coetzee 2-20).

South Africa beat Scotland by 10 wickets at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar.

SCOTLAND 127 in 45.4 overs (H.G. Carnegie 29 not out, F.D.W. McCreath 24; A.D. Galiem 2-16, P.W.A. Mulder 2-16, S.A. Whitehead 2-16, T. de Zorzi 2-20); SOUTH AFRICA 129-0 in 29 overs (K. Verreynne 64 not out, L. Smith 64 not out).

Group ‘C’:

West Indies beat Zimbabwe by two runs at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.

WEST INDIES 226-9 in 50 overs (S.K. Springer 61, T.A. Imlach 31, G.D. Pope 30; R. Magarira 3-28, W. Madhevere 2-48); ZIMBABWE 224 in 49 overs (S. Snyder 52, A. Keefe 43, J. Ives 37, W.T. Mashinge 23, W. Madhevere 21; A.S. Joseph 4-30, S.K. Springer 2-16).

Wednesday’s fixture (starting time 8:00am PST):

Group ‘B’: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka).

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2016