South Beat India by 6-wickets in U-19 WC

Lincoln: South Africa's top order fired in unison as they humbled defending champion India by six wickets in the fifth place play-off match of the ICC under-19 World Cup on Wednesday.

Electing to bat first, India suffered a collapse and lost half its side within 20 overs at a score of 66 but Harpreet Singh Bhatia (56) and Zahid Ali (98) stemmed the rot and helped India post 235 in the stipulated 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa rode on the splendid batting by their top order with Dominic Hendricks (63), David White (77) and Colin Ackermann (52 not out) hitting half centuries to overhaul the target, scoring 237/4 with seven balls to spare.

Chasing 236 to win, South Africa lost their first wicket in JR Richards (0) in the second over but Hendricks and White soon joined hands to stitch together a 124-run first wicket stand to stable the innings.

Hendricks slammed six fours in his 87-ball innings, while White's 114-ball innings was studded with five fours and one hit over the fence.

A run out in the 31st over cost Hendricks his wicket and White was dismissed by Gaurav Jathar in the 39th over to reduce South Africa to 166 for 3 but Colin and M Nofal (31) put together another 62-run partnership to take South Africa at the doorstep of victory.

The last wicket to fall was Nofal, who was clean bowled by Jaydev Unadkat in the 47.3 overs but it was too little too late as South Africa romped home quite easily.

Earlier, India were off to a disastrous start when opener Akshath Reddy (2) was sent packing in the first over by Graham Hume. Four overs later, Bokang Mosena dismissed Rahul Kannaur (4) as they were reduced to 12/2 in 4.5 overs.

In the next two overs, India lost Mandeep Singh (0) and skipper Ashok Menaria (0) within a span of nine balls and in the 21st over, Mayank (32) was also dismissed as India were looking down the barrel at 66/5 in 20 overs.

Harpreet then joined Zahid as the duo forged a 107-run partnership to give some respectability to the total before the former was dismissed in the 42nd over by Dale Deeb.

Zahid kept the score board ticking and helped India cross the 200-mark and was out in the last over.