Defending champions India strolled to an eight-wicket win over Afghanistan on the opening day of the under-19 cricket World Cup at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch today.
Indian captain Ashok Menaria's decision to field was fully justified by his bowlers against a jittery Afghanistan performance marred by terrible running between the wickets.
The result was a poor batting card that read 118 all out in 49.2 overs, and that target proved easy for India to chase down.
It was still a momentous occasion for the underdogs being the first game of any Afghan cricket team to be telecast live in their war-torn nation.
Afghanistan's innings never yielded any significant partnerships as Manan Sharma and Gaurav Jathar did an excellent job with their varieties of spin to strangle the lower order.
Only Afghanistan captain Noor-ul-Haq managed to pass 50 before he was ninth out for 61, with just under two overs left.
The chase proved comfortable for India, despite the loss of Mayank Agarwal for 10. Rahul Kannaur (35) and Mandeep Singh added 58, and Maneria and Singh finished off the job.
Canada pulled off a close win over Zimbabwe at the Village Green in Christchurch, defending a target of 201 by 10 runs.
At 129 for three after 34 overs, Zimbabwe appeared on course for victory but Canada stunned them by taking the last six wickets for 62 runs.
Canada's innings had been carried to 210 by Usman Limbada, who made 90 from 114 balls against a disciplined Zimbabwe attack.
In Queenstown, South Africa knocked down a target of 217 without too much fuss against Ireland.
Ireland's Ben Ackland and Lee Nelson posted half-centuries to bail the side out after the top order collapsed to 36 for four, adding 117.
Ireland's eventual 216 for six was nowhere near enough for a strong South African side.
Dominic Hendricks's 47 from 49 balls set the chase on the right path, along with Stephan Smith, who remained not out on 67 as the target was knocked down in the 44th over.
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