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Pakistan grab spot in U19 World Cup quarters

WELLINGTON - Pakistan squeaked past Bangladesh on the second last ball Wednesday to go through to the quarter-finals of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Palmerston North.

The group D clash was the key to settling the final two spots in the weekend quarter-finals, with the four wicket victory ensuring Pakistan won the group and second-placed West Indies also qualified.

Bangladesh scored 250-5 but it was not quite enough, with Pakistan scrambling to victory on the second-last ball of their 50 overs after 15-year-old opening batsman Muhammad Babar top-scored with 91.

In the battle of the group B heavyweights in Queenstown, South Africa beat Australia in another nail-biter, reaching their target with only two balls remaining.

Australia scored 276-7, with Jason Flores hitting 96 and Alex Keath 64, before Dominic Hendricks led the South African charge with 94.

South Africa reached 278-8 to clinch their place at the top of the pool ahead of the quarter-finals.

Hosts New Zealand took top spot in group C after beating closest rivals Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Christchurch.

Sri Lanka scored 195 all out in their 50 overs, with Danishka Gunathilleke topscoring with 69 and Tim Johnston and Logan van Beek each taking three wickets for New Zealand.

The hosts reached the target with nearly seven overs in hand, as opening batsman Harry Boam held the innings together with an unbeaten 85.

In the tournament’s final pool match Thursday, World Cup holder India and England will battle for top spot in group A.