ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Pakistan edge out SA to enter semis

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Christchurch, January 24: A composed unbeaten 74 from Ali Zaryab guided Pakistan to a three-wicket victory over South Africa in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Super Leasgue quarterfinal in Christchurch on Wednesday (January 24).

Left-handed Zaryab compiled a cautious but attractive 111-ball knock, with five fours, that took two-time champions Pakistan to their target of 190 in 47.5 overs after the pace-duo of Musa and Shaheen Afridi shared five scalps to restrict South Africa to 189 for nine.

The victory over the 2014 champions means Pakistan will now play the winners of Friday's quarterfinal between India and Bangladesh in the second semifinal in Christchurch on January 30.

The 2004 and 2006 champions have to be thankful to Zaryab, who was not perturbed even as the Asian side was reduced to 111 for five after all-rounder Jason Niemand gave South Africa a glimmer of a hope with the wickets of captain Hassan Khan and Muhammad Taha.

Ali Zaryab said this was the biggest moment of his career so far.

"I was always confident I could win the match and knew I had to aim to bat the full 50 overs. This is a huge win for us, a morale-booster since it was a big knock-out match. There can't be a better feeling and the whole team is now looking ahead to the semifinals with confidence," he said.