KEY POINTS
- Steven Hogan’s 115 and 186-run stand with Nitesh Samuel (77*) led Australia to 8-wicket win chasing 236 against Ireland.
- Afghanistan posted 266-8 with fifties from Shinozada (81), Ahmadzai (74), and Niazai (51) to beat South Africa by 28 runs.
WINDHOEK, Namibia: Australia and Afghanistan launched their ICC U19 World Cup campaigns with emphatic wins over Ireland and South Africa on Friday at the High Performance Oval.
Steven Hogan’s century powered Australia to an eight-wicket rout, while Afghanistan edged a high-scoring battle by 28 runs.
Australia overpower Ireland by 8 wickets
Ireland batted first after losing the toss, managing 235 in 50 overs. Openers James West (11) fell early to John James, and Sebastian Dijkstra to Charles Lachmund. Freddie Ogilby (49) and Rob O’Brien (79 off 98) added 43, but Will Malajczuk’s offspin triggered a collapse.
Australia chased 236 in 39.4 overs. Malajczuk fired early before Hogan (115 off 97) and Nitesh Samuel (77*) forged a 186-run stand. Hogan’s century came up in the 32nd over; Luke Murray dismissed him with 20 needed, but Ollie Peake finished it off with 62 balls spare.
Afghanistan edge South Africa by 28 runs
Afghanistan posted 266-8 in 50 overs, fuelled by Faisal Shinozada (81 off 95), Khalid Ahmadzai (74 off 102), and Uzairullah Niazai (51 off 51).
South Africa chased aggressively but crumbled to 238 all out in 47.4 overs. Jason Rowles smashed 98 off 93 (9×4, 3×6), with Corne Botha (25), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (22), and Daniel Bosman (20) chipping in. Afghanistan’s Bayanda Majola and Botha took 3 wickets each; JJ Basson claimed 1.
