Pakistan enter quarterfinals with nervy win over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, Group D, Whangarei

Pakistan rose to the top of the Group D table with a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka, overcoming the Sri Lankan challenge to finish with 190 for 7 in 43.3 overs. The run rate was never in contention with them being well-ahead through their chase, but losing wickets in clumps certainly was. But Hasan Khan (24*) and Muhammad Musa (23) ensured there was no final hurdle as they remained unbeaten in a 25-run stand to take the side home in a 189-run chase.

Ali Zaryab was brilliant at the top with a patient 94-ball 59 to keep Pakistan in the chase when wickets were falling. Thisaru Rashmika was expensive, going for over 5 an over, but he picked up wickets at crucial junctures to keep Sri Lanka in the game, but the total wasn't enough for them to defend.

With the win, Pakistan have assured themselves of a spot in the Super League stage. Afghanistan, however, are still in with a chance to pip Pakistan for the top spot given that they have another game left in the competition against Ireland. Sri Lanka have been knocked out with just one win in their three games.

Earlier in the match, Suleman Shafqat and Shaheen Afridi shared five wickets as Sri Lanka folded for 188 in the must-win encounter. Jehan Daniel and Ashen Bandara were the only Sri Lanka batsmen to put up a fight scoring 53 and 37 respectively.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 188 (Jehan Daniel 53, Suleman Shafqat 3-29) lost to Pakistan 190/7 (Ali Zaryab 59 Thisaru Rashmika 3-47) by three wickets.

Australia vs Papua New Guinea, Group B, Lincoln

Nathan McSweeney smashing 156 in his first innings of the Under-19 World Cup, and Jason Ralston's record-breaking spell of 7 for 15, helped Australia claim a massive 312-run win over Papua New Guinea. Australia have all but sealed their entry into the next stage with the win. PNG, with no wins in the tournament, end up last and will play in the Plate Quarterfinal (a stage for teams who finish third and fourth on the table).

Batting first, Australia rode on the brutal hundred from McSweeney. They lost Max Bryant in the second over for a two-ball duck, but McSweeney and captain Jason Sangha added 253 runs for the second wicket, in under 35 overs, to put the innings back on track.

McSweeney played the aggressor during the marathon alliance. He smashed 156 off just 111 balls, smashing 18 fours and four sixes in the process. Sangha, with 88 off 102, dropped anchor. After both batsmen fell off consecutive balls, Param Uppal added the finishing touches with a 42-ball 61. That whirlwind knock allowed Australia to finish with 370 for 8.

371 was always going to be an almost insurmountable target, and PNG's challenge had ended in as early as the ninth over. Jason Ralston ran amok with a stunning spell as he ran through the batting order with some pace. Before they knew what hit them, PNG were in doldrums at 25 for seven in the ninth over. Leke Morea's 20, the only score in double digits for PNG, helped them go past fifty before Ralston returned to wrap the innings up and claim his seven-for.

Brief Scores: Australia 370/8 (Nathan McSweeney 156, Jason Sangha 88, James Tau 2-42) beat Papua New Guinea 59 (Jason Ralston 7-15) by 312 runs.