WI to meet Tigers in semis

West Indies secured the last semi-final spot of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the quarter-final match at Fatullah today.

Chasing 228, West Indies rode on half-centuries from Tevim Imlach and captain Shimron Hetmeyer while the other batters chipped in to register a comfortable victory with 60 balls remaining in the match.

Imlach scored 54 from 76 balls. Hetmeyer was more aggressive as he smashed 52 from 42 with eight fours and a six. The 77-run second wicket stand between them after a good start enabled West Indies to keep Pakistani bowlers at bay during the chase.

Pakistan captain Zeeshan Malik used seven bowlers, but they didn’t have enough runs to defend on the placid pitch. Sameen Gul, Ahmad Shafiq and Shadab Khan took a wicket each.

Earlier, a spectacular sixth-wicket stand salvaged Pakistan after they were struggling at 5 for 57. Umair Masood and Salman Fayyaz batted responsibly and managed to pull their team out of the morass with the 164-run stand.

Umar Masood was dismissed in the last over, not before he scored 113 from 114 balls with 15 fours and two sixes. Salman supported him with 58.

West Indies new ball bowlers Joseph and Holder decimated Pakistan’s top order with fiery spells early. They used the short-ball as the surprise weapon, and it worked well. The extra pace and lift from the new ball made life extremely difficult for Pakistan.

Joseph gave only 28 runs in 10 overs and took a wicket. Holder took two wickets for 26 in seven overs. Springer, John and Paul captured a wicket each during the middle overs to hurt their opponent.

Umair Massod was adjudged the man of the match for his remarkable knock under pressure.

West Indies will meet Bangladesh in the semi-final match at Mirpur on February 11.