Opener Harnoor Singh’s unbeaten 100 negated Cooper Connolly’s 117 as India mauled Australia by nine wickets in a warm-up game ahead of the Under-19 World Cup here. Australia posted 268 runs before being all out in 49.2 overs, with 18-year-old captain Connolly making 117 studded with 18 boundaries.
Harnoor led India’s charge with his century that included 16 fours. He was well supported by Shaik Rasheed, who scored 72. Both players retired hurt but captain Yash Dull (50 not out) took the side past the finish line with 15 balls to spare on Tuesday at the Providence Stadium here.
The tournament proper will begin on Friday and India will open their campaign against South Africa on Saturday. In other matches, Bangladesh, England and Pakistan also recorded impressive victories against Zimbabwe, the UAE and Canada respectively.
Bangladesh posted a decent total of 277 after a tricky start when opener Iftakher Hossain edged to slip in the third over departing for just 1. But Aich Mollah got his side back on track, making 82 off 82 deliveries with three sixes along the way.
Zimbabwe’s reply didn’t start on solid ground when opener Panashe Taruvinga went for a duck.
The next man in Steven Saul launched a counter-attack, scoring 39 from 45 deliveries, but once he outside edged to Fahim his team were facing an uphill task. They were eventually bowled out for 110 runs.
England produced a middle-order rally to beat UAE in an exciting finish by two wickets.
Batting first, the UAE posted a credible 191/9 in their innings, even with losing openers Kai Smith for a duck and Shival Bawa for just eight runs. However, Dhruv Parashar and captain Alishan Sharafu hit a combined 62 to keep the UAE in the contest. Josh Boyden was the pick of England’s bowlers with figures of 5/42.
But Sharafu’s team refused to go quietly, with tailenders Adihya Shetty and Jash Giyanani scoring 21 and 15, respectively. Set 192 to win, England’s response got off to a bad start when George Thomas was bowled by Sharafu with the first ball of the innings.
Lancashire rookie George Bell then took centre stage to steer England back on track. Arriving at the crease with his team at 23/3, Bell produced a wonderful 75 not out from 120 balls.
Pakistan put up an impressive display against Canada on way to their eight-wicket win.
