SA crush Pak by 98 runs, to meet India in final

Agencies

Posted online: Saturday, March 01, 2008 at 1224 hrs IST

Kuala Lumpur, March 1:
South Africa set up a title clash against India in the Under-19 cricket World Cup after crushing defending champions Pakistan by 98 runs under Duckworth/Lewis method in the rain-affected second semifinal.

South Africa needed 20.4 overs, after a delayed start of two hours and 20 minutes due to wet outfield, to skittle out Pakistan for 153 in a total of 39.3 overs after the game was carried over to the reserved day due to bad weather on Friday.

Pakistan, the 2004 and 2006 winners, were unlucky to bow out of the tournament after needing only five runs in seven balls if the stipulated 20 overs had been bowled on Friday.

Pakistan were 86 for 2 on Friday while chasing revised target of 252 from 47 overs under Duckworth/Lewis method following a brief rain interruption after South Africa made 260 for eight in their allotted 50 overs.

Off-spinner Mohammad Vallie returned 4-25 for South Africa as opener Ahmad Shehzad played a lone hand for Pakistan with a fluent 60 containing six boundaries and a six before he was dismissed on Friday.

India will take on South Africa in the day-night final on Sunday at the Kinrara Oval with a reserve day set aside with forecast predicting heavy rain over the next 24 hours.

The win by South Africa prevented a repeat of the 2006 summit clash between India and Pakistan and also dashed Pakistan's hopes of their third successive title in cricket's junior premier event.