India remains on track to defend their title at the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, while the West Indies and Pakistan also recorded vital wins.

On Tuesday the five-time champions hammered New Zealand by 214-runs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

Musheer Khan scored 132-runs as India posted a total of 295/8 in their 50 overs. The Kiwi seamer, Mason Clarke, took 4/62 in an outstanding display of bowling.

The left-arm spinner, Saumy Pandey, was brilliant with the ball for India by taking 4/19 in 10 overs as New Zealand was bowled out for a mere 81-runs.

“I thought we executed our plans very well. Musheer was exceptional as usual and Raj Limbani bowled very well upfront,” said the Indian captain, Uday Saharan.

“I don’t think I need to motivate the guys, we’re all in a good frame of mind.”

Meanwhile, in Kimberley, the West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets. Dinura Kalupahana top-scored for Sri Lanka as they were bowled out 231-runs, while Malsha Tharupathi scored 42. Raneico Smith was the pick of the bowlers from the Caribbean with 4/47 in his ten overs.

Steve Wedderburn led the charge with the bat for the Islanders with a fine 61 as they reached the target with just three balls to spare.

In Potchefstroom, Pakistan remained unbeaten with a three wicket win against Ireland.

Ireland batted first and were bowled out for 181-runs in 48.4 overs with John McNally scoring

53, while Harry Dyer had a knock of 31. Ubaid Shah took 3/31 in his ten overs, while Amir Hassan, Ali Raza and Ahmad Hassan each bagged two scalps.

Pakistan chased down the target in 43.4 overs with Hassan scoring an unbeaten 57. Dyer did well for the Irish with the ball by taking 4/35 in 9.4 overs in an losing cause.

On Wednesday, South Africa will face Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom in the Super Sixes, while in Bloemfontein Nepal will be up against Bangladesh, and Australia will play against England in Kimberley. Over at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Afghanistan will square up against the USA in the 16th place playoff.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport