By snatching a last ball two wicket win over its traditional rival and neighbour USA in the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup Qualifier Canada has moved to the top of the table in the 4-nation event played in Toronto.
Canada defeated Argentina by 363 runs in the opener and then followed it up with an exciting two-wicket win over the USA in a match reduced to 40 overs a side.
USA with a win and a defeat is placed at number two position. One team from the Americas will qualify for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup to be played in Sri Lanka next year.
Meanwhile, Scotland has also qualified for the Sri Lanka World Cup with a big win over Italy in the European qualifier.
In a low scoring game, USA batting first managed 183 before being bowled out in 38.5 overs. Needing 184 to win in 40 overs, Canada managed to achieve the target, thanks to Sagar Patel who remained not out on 29 and hit the last ball for two runs to give his team a splendid win. Earlier, captain Jai Singh 30, Dilraj Deol, who hit a superb century against Argentina on the first day, contributed 32 runs. Other batters among runs were Jordan Mathews 28 and Ravinder Nauth 24. Utkarsh Srivastava was the most successful US bowler by returning figures of three for 42.
Earlier, Arjun Mahesh 59 and Rishi Ramesh 56 paved the way for the US to aggregate 183 in 38.5 overs. Rohan Garg (3 for 31) and Amalam Silvakumaran (3 for 44) were the most successful Canadian bowlers.
Against Argentina, Canada piled up 408 for nine wickets in stipulated 50 overs, thanks to a superb innings by Dilraj Singh Deol 142, supported by Yuvraj Samra 82 and Jai Singh 44. Felipe Augustin was the most successful bowler for Argentina as he finished with four for 76.
Argentina in reply folded up for 45. Only batsman to reach double figures for Argentina was Felipe Gaspar who made 12. Yuvraj Hundal (3 for 16), Amalan Sivakumaran (4 for 12) and Yash Mandkar (2 for 10) were the successful Canadian bowlers.
Prabhjot Singh