England and Afghanistan into semi-finals at ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup

Media release

Convincing wins for Afghanistan and England sealed their place in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Afghanistan powered to a 191-run victory over Ireland, as Faisal Khan made a sensational 163.

And England’s triumph was off the back of a star turn with the ball, Manny Lumsden taking five for 17 in their 65-run win over New Zealand.

As a result, the two teams join Australia in the last four, with the final semi-final spot to be decided by the clash between India and Pakistan.

Afghanistan down Ireland to seal semi-final spot

Afghanistan booked their place in the semi-finals with an emphatic 191-run win over Ireland thanks to a stunning knock from Faisal Khan.

His 163 helped Afghanistan to a mammoth first innings total of 315 for seven, adding 188 for the fourth wicket with skipper Mahboob Khan (89).

Sri Lanka needed an Ireland victory to progress at Afghanistan’s expense and would have enjoyed the early dismissals of Khalid Ahmadzai (1) and Osman Sadat (14).

However, Faisal then rebuilt with Uzairullah Niazai (26) before he and Mahboob got them close to 300.

And while Reuben Wilson (3/52) and Olly Riley (3/61) picked up some late wickets, Afghanistan were well-placed at the halfway stage.

Abdul Aziz (3/21) then did some early damage with the ball, removing both openers as Ireland slumped to 21 for three.

Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) provided the only real resistance, adding 55 for the sixth wicket, but Aqil Khan (3/36) found the breakthrough as Afghanistan rattled through the tail to clinch the win.

Lumsden five-wicket haul fires England into last four

Manny Lumsden was the star of the show with three wickets in an over on his way to figures of five for 17 as England clinched their place in the semi-finals.

Having been restricted to 234 for seven, Lumsden did the damage both at the top of the order and late on to seal a 65-run win.

England started well as opener Ben Dawkins made 42, while Ben Mayes continued his fine form with 53.

Caleb Falconer then chipped in with 47 but Snehith Reddy (2/28) was among those taking handy wickets as England were unable to kick on.

The chase never really got going, however, with Lumsden getting the key wickets of Hugo Bogue (18) and Tom Jones (13) in the space of four deliveries.

Reddy followed up his bowling efforts with a good knock, making 47, but New Zealand lost wickets to leave them with a lot of work to do.

And any hopes of a miraculous chase were ended by Lumsden, who picked up the last three wickets in the same over to bowl them out for 169.

With that victory, England remain unbeaten in the competition and join Australia and Afghanistan in the semi-finals.

Scores in brief

New Zealand v England – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

England 234/7 in 50 overs (Ben Mayes 53, Caleb Falconer 47; Snehith Reddy 2/28, Mason Clarke 2/38)

New Zealand 169 all out in 38.5 overs (Snehith Reddy 47, Jaskaran Sandhu 26; Manny Lumsden 5/17, Sebastian Morgan 2/38)

Result: England win by 65 runs

Afghanistan v Ireland – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Afghanistan 315/7 in 50 overs (Faisal Khan 163, Mahboob Khan 89; Reuben Wilson 3/52, Olly Riley 3/61)

Ireland 124 all out in 40.4 overs (Marko Bates 34, Reuben Wilson 31; Abdul Aziz 3/21, Aqil Khan 3/36)

Result: Afghanistan win by 191 runs