THE WEST INDIES UNDER-19S booked their spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup with solid all-round performances in a five-wicket victory over Pakistan Under-19s at Fatullah overnight.
Set 228 for victory, the West Indies raced to 229 for five with 60 balls to spare. Wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach followed up good glove work behind the stumps with 54 and captain Shimron Hetmeyer put his batting woes behind him for 52.
Still it was not a smooth ride to the finish. Shamar Springer helped steady the middle with a run-a-ball 37 after Carty (7) and Imlach fell in the space of two overs. Jyd Goolie and Keemo Paul finished not out.
Earlier, West Indies had Pakistan reeling within the first two overs and it was thanks to pacer Chemar Holder who was flown to the tournament as an injury replacement only two days ago.
Holder dismissed captain Zeeshan Malik (3) and Shabad Khan (1) and Pakistan were soon tottering on 57 for five. But a six-wicket partnership of 164 runs between Umair Masood and Salman Fayyaz brought them right back into the match.
Masood scored 113 off 114 balls and Fayyaz scored 58 to see the total to respectability.
West Indies will play Bangladesh in the second semi-final, while India will be up against Sri Lanka. (SAT)
Summarised scores:
Pakistan Under-19s 227 for 6 in 50 overs (Umair Masood 113, Salman Fayyaz 58, Hasan Mohsin 19, Saif Badar 10; Chemar Holder 2-26). West Indies Under-19s 229 for five in 40 overs (Tevin Imlach 54, Shimron Hetmeyer 52, Shamar Springer 37, Jyd Goolie 26 n.o., Gidron Pope 25, Keemo Paul 24 n.o.). West Indies Under-19s won by five wickets with 60 balls remaining.
