ICC U19 WC: Afghanistan and England join Australia in semi-finals HARARE: Afghanistan and England joined Australia as the latest entrants in the ICC Under-19 World Cup semi-finals on Friday, with impressive displays in their Super Six contests. As England beat New Zealand by 65 runs thanks to a five-wicket haul from Manny Lumsden, Faisal Khan’s scintillating 163 guided Afghanistan to a 191-run victory over Ireland on Friday, according to the ICC. Australia have already advanced to the final four from Group 1, with Afghanistan occupying the remaining spot. Unbeaten England are the first team from Group 2 to make it to the final four, with Sunday’s clash between India and Pakistan serving as a virtual knockout match. India have the advantage with six points from three matches and have a better net-run-rate than Pakistan who have four points. Faisal Khan, who came into Afghanistan’s clash with Ireland, entered the fray for Afghanistan in Harare. He scored most of the runs as Afghanistan posted 315/7 in their 50 overs.Faisal was at his calculated best, hitting 18 fours and a six on his way to 163 off 142 balls. It is the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in the history of the tournament. Afghanistan struggled on 27/2 after electing to bat first. A 75-run third-wicket partnership between Faisal and Uzairullah Niazai (26) helped control the damage. Afghanistan then took control as Faisala and captain Mahboob Khan (89 in 79 balls, with five fours and two sixes) joined forces. The runs came thick and fast in this 188-run stand for the fourth wicket until Mahboob fell in the final over. For Ireland it was pacers Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley who picked three wickets apiece.Ireland were bowled out for 124 and never looked like a threat. Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) offered some fight as they put on 55 runs for the sixth wicket. But the mountain was simply too high for the Irish to climb. After pacer Abdul Aziz (3/21) damaged the top order while bowler Aqil Khan held off a late challenge with three wickets for 36 runs.New Zealand, out of semi-final contention, were playing for their pride. On a tricky Bulawayo surface, New Zealand restricted England to 234/7 after winning the toss and opting to field first. Ben Dawkins helped England cruise steadily through the opening stages of the innings, scoring a careful 42 off 62 balls with five fours. Ben Mayes (53 in 70 balls, with five fours) and Caleb Faloner (47 in 58 balls, with three fours) followed suit with crucial knocks to keep the scoreboard moving and ensure England posted a respectable total.Pacer Mason Clarke (2/38) was the pick of the bowlers for NZ. While the chase did not look dire, it was Lumdsen who turned the tide of the match with figures of 5/17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 169 in 38.5 overs. NZ only guarded the wicket with Senith Reddy who made 47 runs and had 58 runs with Callum Samson for the sixth wicket.
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