Nigeria make history with Japan success

Nigeria finished off their maiden ICC U19 Cricket World Cup campaign with an historic first win after beating Japan by eight wickets at the Ibbies Oval.

After bowling out Japan for 115, the Nigerians reached the score with relative ease off 22.4 overs.

With this victory, the west Africans will finish 15th on the overall tournament table while Japan, their fellow debutant associate member nation, taking 16th in the standings.

There were many other memorable moments in the fixture played under hot conditions and a slow wicket in Potchefstroom.

Batting first, Japan reached triple figures for the first time, as Shu Noguchi (31) and Ishaan Fartyal (16) top scored, while also benefiting from 30 extras from the Junior Yellow Green bowling.

Nigerian seamer and Player of the Match, Ifeanyi Uboh, picked up an impressive 5-23 with Taiwo Mohameed finishing with 2-13.

In the chase, openers Sulaimon Runsewe (56 not out) and Elijah Olaleye (21) ensured that their team had total control as they chased a moderate target.

"As a team, we are excited about getting our first win. I am also happy to have taken my first five-wicket haul at international level. It will motivate me to do better," said Uboh.

Japan captain Marcus Thurgate said: "We are disappointed with the results but we have enjoyed our stay in South Africa.

“We go back home with a lot of positives for our game and will come back stronger."

CANADA’S REVENGE SEES THEM FINISH ON A HIGH

Excellent all-round contributions from Udaybir Walia and Akhil Kumar helped Canada leave South Africa on a high after a battling four-wicket win in their 13th Place playoff against United Arab Emirates.

The North Americans were clinical with the ball, dismissing their counterparts for 174 in 44.1 overs, but then made heavy weather hunting down the target at Witrand Oval.

They slipped to 93 for six in the 25th over, before Walia (42 not out) and Harmanjeet Singh Bedi (40 not out) shared in an unbroken 86-run stand that carried them over the line with 46 deliveries to spare.

The match, which allowed Canada to exact revenge on UAE after they lost to them in the group stages, drew the curtain on the tournament for both teams.

And they will at least head home knowing they were involved in a tough final tussle in South Africa.

Walia was also Canada’s star man with the ball earlier after they had won the toss and opted to bowl, with the seamer claiming 3-16.

He offered excellent support to fellow medium-pacer Kumar (3-27), with only Alishan Sharafu's 65 not out managing to do any damage from the UAE perspective.

Rishabh Mukherjee (4-62) left the Canadians in a huge hole early on, before Kumar (37) steadied the ship and the Walia-Bedi stand completed the job.

"I think the World Cup was a great learning experience for everyone in our team," said Walia, Player of the Match. "All the wins and all the losses will help make us into better players."