United Arab Emirates (UAE) proved too strong for Nigeria as they cruised to a seven-wicket triumph at the North-West University Oval in their Under-19 Cricket World Cup plate quarterfinal in Potchefstroom on Thursday
UAE restricted the West African newcomers to 145 and reached the target in 29.2 overs.
Alishan Sharafu was the key man for the UAE, notching a fluent 59 not out from 60 balls to snuff any drama out of the chase.
“It was a good team performance, and our spinners did really well,” said Sharafu.
The pitch got tougher to bat on, with spin proving difficult to get away but despite this Sharafu clubbed seven boundaries to see his side home with 124 balls to spare.
“I think it was a really good team performance, and everything came together for us on the field,” captain Aryan Lakra said.
“The Nigerian lower-order did very well to hang around, otherwise we would have been chasing around 110. I thought Alishan played a fantastic knock for us.”
The Eagles had been asked to bat first as they looked to end their World Cup adventure with a flourish and Olayinka Olaleye gave them a decent start, with a grafting 31 from 50 balls.
He was looking for partners, though, but Sulaimon Runsewe (14) and Miracle Akhigbe (20) couldn’t build on their starts.
It was Rishabh Mukherjee who gave Nigeria the big problems, spinning a web on his way to figures of f4/35 in his spell of 10 overs.
Aryan Lakra started tidily with the new ball and returned to add gloss to his numbers. He finished with 3/20 as Nigeria were eventually bowled out for 145 in 46.4 overs of toil.
The reply by the UAE was measured and led by Sharafu, while in-form Jonathan Figy also chipped in with 28. The latter fell before the end, but Sharafu saw his team home to wrap up the win.
Brief scores
UAE Under 19s beat Nigeria Under 19s by seven wickets, Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom
Nigeria 145, 46.4 overs (Elijah Olaleye 31; Rishabh Mukherjee 4-35, Aryan Lakra 3-20)
UAE 146-3, 29.2 overs (Alishan Sharafu 59no, Jonathan Figy 28; Ifenayi Uboh 2-23)
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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