Sharjah: New Zealand captain Robert O'Donnell led from the front with an unbeaten 107 as his side beat UAE by 112 runs in a Group D match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
O'Donnell headlined a lion-hearted effort after New Zealand was reduced to 50 for 3. Shawn Hicks contributed 70 and added 145 for the fourth wicket with O'Donnell to set things up for a final assault. That was provided by Leo Carter, whose 36-ball 48 helped New Zealand finish with 281 for 5 after having opted to bat.
Pankaj Prakash and Moaaz Qazi were the most effective bowlers for UAE, bagging two wickets each.
UAE's earnest attempt to chase down the tall target received a jolt when the Shahrukh Ahmed (27) and Shivanand Vijayakumar (1) fell inside the tenth over. Chirag Suri hung around to compile a 77-ball 57 and was the only shining light in an otherwise disappointing batting performance.
UAE was later bowled out for 169 in 49.4 overs, succumbing to its second successive loss in the tournament, thereby spoiling even the slightest of chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Jack Hunter returned figures of 3 for 32 while Dane Watson and Jeremy Benton picked up two wickets each.
UAE will now play Sri Lanka in its next match in Sharjah on Tuesday while New Zealand takes on England in Dubai on the same day.
Brief scores
New Zealand Under-19s: 281-5 (O'Donnelll 107*, Hicks 70)
UAE Under-19s: 169 all out, 49.4 overs (Suri 57, Hunter 3-32)
Result: New Zealand Under-19 won by 112 runs
MOM Robert O'Donnell (New Zealand Under-19s)