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ABU DHABI — Aiden Markram’s 119-ball 120 led South Africa to an easy seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Group C fixture of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium yesterday.
Markram’s century helped South Africa earn its third consecutive victory in the tournament and top Group C.

He smashed 13 fours and one six, and added an unbroken 145 runs for the fourth wicket with Yaseen Valli (53) as South Africa chased down the target of 199 in 39 overs.

South Africa did face some hiccups in the chase, losing Clyde Fortuin for 4 in the fourth over. Kirwin Christoffels (11) and Greg Oldfield (0) were then dismissed off consecutive deliveries by Herbert Chikomba, leaving the side in a tricky situation at 54 for 3 in the 12th over.

That was when Markram found an ally in Valli and took the side home.

Earlier, opting to bat, Zimbabwe started slowly.

From 52 for 4 in 22 overs, the side limped to 111 in the 34th over when the fifth wicket fell, bringing Luke Jongwe to the crease.

Jongwe launched a counter-attack with 55 off 53 balls, while Kieran Geyle chipped in with 39, taking Zimbabwe to 198 all out in 50 overs.

Justin Dill took 4 for 35 in 10 overs, to return the best figures for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada also chipped in with two wickets, giving away 47 runs in his 10 overs.

South Africa will now play against the second-placed team in Group B in its quarter-final on February 23 in Sharjah.

England and the West Indies advanced to the quarter-finals of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2014 when they comfortably won their decisive Group C and D matches, respectively yesterday.

England overcame Sunday’s heart-breaking loss to Sri Lanka by bouncing back to defeat New Zealand by 115 runs in front of Star Sports cameras at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while 2004 runner-up West Indies beat Canada by 63 runs at Abu Dhabi Oval 1.

Yesterday’s results mean that from Group C, South Africa and West Indies have progressed to the Super League quarter-finals while Canada and Zimbabwe will feature in the Plate Championship and from Group D, Sri Lanka and England will appear in the Super League quarter-finals while New Zealand and the UAE will play in the Plate Championship.

Quarter-final line-up
Super League:
Saturday 22 Feb — Sri Lanka v Group A second, Sharjah Cricket Stadium; *India v England, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Sunday 23 Feb — South Africa v Group B second, Sharjah Cricket Stadium; *Group B first v West Indies, Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Plate Championship
Saturday 22 Feb — Group B third v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium; Zimbabwe v Group B fourth, Abu Dhabi Oval 2
Sunday 23 Feb — Group A third v UAE, Zayed Cricket Stadium; New Zealand v Group A fourth, Abu Dhabi Oval 1— ICC