Two matches down, two to go in the New Zealand Under-19s' Tri-Nations Under-19 Tournament in Dubai — and it's the Kiwis on top after edging Pakistan in a three-wicket win overnight.
Fresh from beating Australia yesterday, the warm-up series for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh is going nicely.
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Chasing Pakistan's 255/9, Mondiale Auckland Aces opening batsman Glenn Phillips got the New Zealand reply off to another powerful start at the ICC Academy ground, plucking his half century off 44 balls — and registering it in emphatic fashion with his second six, off Ahmad Shafiq.
The aggressor Phillips took two more sixes on his way to his relentless 74, playing the perfect foil to anchorman Rachin Ravindra.
On 17 at the time of his opening partner's dismissal, at the end of the 16th over, it had been quite the show at the other end for Ravindra, the pair having put on 99 runs for the first wicket.
But, on cue, he stepped into Phillips' shoes to take a lead role while captain Josh Finnie got in, recovering after an early blow to the groin. Finnie showed his class while Ravindra kept the run rate moving as he carried on to top-score with a sensible 77, including five boundaries and two sixes.
He would lose both Finnie and Josh Clarkson in the interim but, if the Under-19s could keep the momentum ticking, they were already well on track and needing just 44 from the last 60 balls.
Late wickets upped the pressure slightly after Ravindra was caught in the 40th over, but at 212/4 the platform had been a sturdy one, offering some license. Christian Leopard would find the boundary and then clip the winning runs with 2.2 overs to spare as the Under-19s finished on 256/7.
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Earlier, in his debut match of the tour, left-arm spinner Felix Murray had starred with the ball as he spun to a five-wicket bag (5-55) off his 10 overs — claiming five of Pakistan's top six batsmen. Murray began with a wicket with his very first ball in international cricket, and helped himself to a further two wickets in his first over.
His fellow Nelsonite Josh Clarkson chimed in with 2-24, and swing bowler Zak Gibson picked up 1-39 in his first match on tour.
Leading the table, the unbeaten New Zealand Under-19s now wait for a rematch with Australia on 17 January before their final match against Pakistan (a team that has spent a lot of time together, having previously toured Sri Lanka) on 19 January.
Two from two for New Zealand Under-19s. @ICCAcademy