India beat England in U-19 World Cup warm-up

An unbeaten 98 from Saurabh Tiwary made sure that India's final preparation for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup passed without hiccup on Wednesday. The youngsters saw off their English counterparts at the Royal Military College, Kuala Lumpur, by six wickets.

But it was far from straightforward for the side being coached by Dav Whatmore.

Chasing England's total of 219-8, India lost its first three wickets for just seven runs as pacers Steven Finn and James Harris made early inroads.

But then a 134-run partnership between Tiwary and Tanmay Srivastava calmed India's nerves and ensured a relatively trouble-free run-chase from then on. Tiwary's 98 not out came off 115 balls and included 11 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, England's Dan Redfern and Ben Brown shared a 113-run partnership for the sixth wicket after a shaky start had reduced the 1998 champions to 95-5. But captain Virat Kohli (2-40) and all-rounder Tanmay (2-36) made sure England's total never got too high.

Meanwhile, defending champion Pakistan made up for its first warm-up defeat to England with a five-wicket defeat of Bangladesh at Club Aman.

Ahmed Shahzad (79 not out) anchored the innings as Pakistan successfully chased Bangladesh's total of 203 all out. Shahzad shared an impressive opening partnership of 89 with Umer Akmal -- younger brother of Pakistan senior wicketkeeper Kamran -- and in reality, the chase was never in doubt as Iman Wasim's team was always ahead of the rate.

Elsewhere, hosts Malaysia put in a good all-round team effort to beat East Asia-Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea by 59 runs at Kilat Cricket Club.

Muhammad Faizal scored 63, including five fours and two sixes, as Malaysia reached 201-7 after its 50 overs. Faizal was assisted along the way by Mohamad Norwira, who made a crucial 40 to set up what was no more than a par score.

Led by Willie Gavera, who took 2-21 off 10 overs, PNG's bowlers impressed with their ability to restrict the opposition batsmen.

But Malaysia's attack showed more penetration and snaffled important wickets at key times. Muhamad Nik Azril took 3-17 off 10 overs while Mohammad Kasman (2-18) and Sarvana Raj (2-20) also did their bit.

Only Jason Kila dug in for PNG as he made 38 before edging one from Raj to the wicketkeeper Mohammad Shafiq.

In the last warm-up game of the day, at Selangor Turf Club, a fine knock of 98 from George Worker and then a six-wicket haul from Nick Beard made sure of a comfortable victory for New Zealand over Ireland.

Only an aggressive knock of 72 off 50 balls from Ireland's Paul Stirling caused the junior Black Caps any trouble as the Irish crumbled to 133 all out, chasing New Zealand's mammoth total of 314-9. By way of consolation for Stirling, he got the news today that he had been called up to the senior Ireland squad for its upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh, which starts after the conclusion of the U/19 CWC.

Scores in brief:

At Kilat Cricket Club, Malaysia beat Papua New Guinea by 59 runs

Malaysia 201-7, 50 overs (Mhd Faizal 63, Mhd Norwira 40; Willie Gavera 2-21, Jonathan Dhio 2-54)

PNG 142 all out, 42.2 overs (Jason Kila 38; Mhd Nik Azril 3-17, Mhd Kasman 2-18, Sarvana Raj 2-20)

At Selangor Turf Club, New Zealand beat Ireland by 181 runs

New Zealand 314-9, 50 overs (George Worker 98, Tim Southee 47, Michael Bracewell 39; Ben Ackland 3-49, Richard Keaveney 3-63)

Ireland 133 all out, 29.3 overs (Paul Stirling 72; Nick Beard 6-36, Tim Southee 3-39)

At Royal Military College, India won by six wickets

England 219-8, 50 overs (Dan Redfern 74, Ben Brown 40, Billy Godleman 31; Tanmay Srivastava 2-36, Virat Kohli 2-40)

India 225-4, 42.4 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 98 not out, Tanmay Srivastava 57, Manish Pandey 42 not out; Steven Finn 3-39)

At Club Aman, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five wickets

Bangladesh 203 all out, 48.5 overs (Md Mithun 75, Dollar Mahmud 27; Adil Raza 3-27)

Pakistan 204-5, 43.2 overs (Ahmed Shahzad 79 not out, Umer Akmal 63; Sohrawardi Shuvo 2-37).