U-19 WC: BD’s qualification hopes rest on England win

WELLINGTON: Group C still remains wide open with three of the four teams still in contention with one game to go. England and Canada will fight out to see who takes the final two spots, with Bangladesh watching on nervously.

Bangladesh have finished their quota of three games, with two wins and a net run rate of 0.438. Their fate hinges on the result of the England-Canada encounter. Canada are below them with two points, but a big win over England could see them pip either England or Bangladesh to second, even first spot.

But it will take some effort to dislodge England from the top spot. They have a massive NRR of 3.278, compared to Canada’s -0.277, and will need to lose really badly to lose their grip on the quarter-final slot. The game will also decide who takes on hot-favourites India in the quarters. The team finishing second would be slotted alongside India, and both teams will hope to avoid the high-flying side.

Afghanistan vs Ireland: Afghanistan will look to continue their winning ways when they take on Ireland in Whangarei. The Asian team has two wins in two games, but sit behind Pakistan, who’ve played one extra game. They already have assured themselves of a spot in the quarter-final. If Afghanistan go on to win the clash, they’ll top the table.Ireland, on the other hand, are yet to get off the mark in the tournament, and they will hope to end the tournament on a high.

Afghanistan started the tournament with a high-profile win over Pakistan, before seeing off Sri Lanka in a rain-marred game to seal their progress to the next stage. Ireland suffered defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their first two encounters.

Windies vs Kenya: Windies and Kenya, both winless so far, will battle to avoid the wooden spoon in Lincoln. The defending champions have had to endure a bad tournament so far, falling to losses against both New Zealand and South Africa. Kenya were never expected to pose a big challenge, having been drawn in the group of death, but they will hope to pull one over a Windies side that will still be hurting following their pre-mature exit. New Zealand vs South Africa: New Zealand will take on South Africa in the battle for top spot in Group A. Both teams have claimed two wins each, beating Winides and Kenya in their previous games. A win over their more illustrious opponents will signal stronger intentions of their potential. The winners will face the second placed team from Group D - either Pakistan or Afghanistan, while the second placed team will take on the leaders from Group D.