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Valli leads SA U19's to victory

Abu Dhabi - Yaseen Valli has scored an unbeaten 102 runs and took four wickets to lead the Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s to a 45-run victory over Canada in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

He carried on from his half-century and two-wicket haul over the West Indies on Friday to maintain South Africa’s top spot on the Group C log with four points.

The young Proteas presented a stronger batting display today, with Kirwin Christoffels (58) and Bradley Dial (47) adding valuable runs that led to the side’s 293/6 total after they were asked to bat by the Canadians. Valli’s performance was particularly impressive as his score came off 92 balls at a strike rate of 110.86.

Canada’s top order made a solid start in their reply. Openers Sudeepta Aurka and Yug Rao shared a 51-run partnership before the latter was bowled by Valli for 23 at the end of the 11th over.

Wickets continued to dry up as Aurka (69) and Nitish Kumar (53) added 101 runs for the second wicket before their innings was disrupted by Sibonelo Makhanya who removed Kumar.

Valli dismissed Arman Kapoor (13) and Keenen Tinto (1) in the 42nd over to rejuvenate the bowling side. From there, Makhanya dispatched Nikhil Dutta (38) and Trevor Manoosingh (3) to finish his 10-over spell with 3/42.

The bowlers did well to limit the flow of runs although Ngazibini Sigwili was the only other bowler to capture a wicket (Tahla Shaikh for 7).
Canada were restricted to 248/8 when they ran out of overs after putting up a good fight.

Valli was once again happy to have been able to contribute runs for his team. “Scoring runs is always great, but this is not about me, we’re here to win a World Cup,” he said.

“Today was a very tough day, Canada played really good cricket and we fought for every run and every wicket, they are definitely not a side to underestimate.”

South Africa’s next assignment is against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

The latter have just suffered a massive, 167-run defeat to the West Indies.

Play starts at 07:30 SA time.


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