U19 World Cup: Ambrish's four-fer powers India to third straight win

India bundled out New Zealand for a mere 135 in their final Group B fixture of the Under-19 World Cup before waltzing home to a comfortable seven-wicket win at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The comprehensive victory was set up by RS Ambrish's four-wicket haul (4 for 19) and well-supported by Henil Patel's three scalps (3 for 23), ensuring India finished the group stage with a perfect record of three wins from three matches.

After winning the toss, skipper Ayush Mhatre opted to bowl first. The decision was vindicated immediately as the Indian bowlers ran through the New Zealand top order, reducing them to 22 for 5 inside 10 overs.

The game was twice interrupted by rain, reducing it to a 37-over contest. New Zealand's lower-order mounted a brief recovery thanks to an unbeaten 37 from Callum Samson, but their total of 135 was never going to test a strong Indian batting line-up.

In response, India chased down the DLS-altered target of 130 with seven wickets in hand. Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre led the charge with a 76-run partnership off just 39 balls. Mhatre hit six sixes in his 27-ball 53 while Suryavanshi added 40 off 23. The win was completed in just 81 balls.

The win consolidated India's position heading into the Super Six. For New Zealand, who had their previous two matches washed out, this was a disappointing return to action.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 135 in 36.2 overs (RS Ambrish 4-29, Henil Patel 3-23) lost to India 130/3 in 13.3 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 40, Ayush Mhatre 53) by 7 wickets [DLS Method]

Nihar Parmar produced an excellent all-round display as Japan comfortably defeated Tanzania by nine wickets in the first playoffs for the 13th to 16th-places.

After Tanzania elected to bat, Acrey Pascal and Ayaan Shariff steadied the innings with a 79-run stand. Pascal top-scored with 55. Nihar Parmar then struck twice in consecutive deliveries to remove Shariff for 40 and Agustino Mwamele for a golden duck, sparking a dramatic collapse. From 118/2, Tanzania were bowled out for 131. Parmar finished with 4 for 30, while Nikhil Pol took 3 for 23.

Chasing a modest target, Japan made light work of the run chase. Parmar and Taylor Waugh constructed a 122-run opening partnership. Waugh was run out for 47 before Parmar reached his fifty and remained unbeaten on 53. Pol joined him to finish the job, guiding Japan home with more than 24 overs to spare.

Brief scores: Tanzania 131 in 38.3 overs (Acrey Pascal 55; Nihar Parmar 4-30, Nikhil Pol 3-23) lost to Japan 136/1 in 28.2 overs (Nihar Parmar 53*, Taylor Waugh 47) by nine wickets