Pakistan looks to clinch third U-19 World Cup title

DUBAI:

Two times world champions Pakistan will look to clinch their third title to stand alongside Australia and India for winning most number of titles when in lock horns with South Africa in the summit clash of ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup UAE 2014 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium today Saturday.

Pakistan remains the only side to win back to back titles when it triumphed in 2004 and 2006 in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. In addition this, Pakistan also reached the finals in 1988 and 2010.

On the other hand South Africa will try to put its best aiming to break its title drought. Protease finished runner up in the 2002 and 2008 tournaments.

On head to head the two sides have met only once in the history of this competition when South Africa defeated Pakistan by 98 runs according to the Duckworth Lewis Method in Kuala Lumpur in the 2008 tournament. Their match in the 2000 tournament in Kurunegala Sri Lanka was washed out without a ball being bowled.

In the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2014, Pakistan started its campaign with a 40 run defeat against India and then achieved victory from the jaws of defeat against England in the semi final by three wickets.

In between, it beat Scotland by 146 runs, Papua New Guinea by 145 runs and Sri Lanka in the quarter final by 121 runs.

In contrast South Africa is the only side which is unbeaten so far. It defeated the West Indies by 94 runs, Canada by 45 runs, Zimbabwe by seven wickets, Afghanistan by nine wickets in the quarter final and Australia by 80 runs in the semi final.