New Zealand Under-19 captain Robert O'Donnell made an unbeaten 107 to lead his side to an 112 run win over UAE in their ICC Under-19 World Cup Group D match at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium overnight.
The win keeps alive New Zealand's chance of advancing through to the quarter-finals.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, New Zealand were reduced to 50 for three at one stage, before O'Donnell combined with Shawn Hicks (70) to add 145 for the fourth wicket. O'Donnell, at his second World Cup, smashed six fours and four sixes in his 117 ball stay. A final rally from Leo Carter (48 from 36 balls) pushed New Zealand to a very healthy total of 281 for five.
In reply Chirag Suri provided the greatest resistance with the bat for the hosts, notching 57 from 77 balls, but he was unable to form a valuable partnership with any of the other batsmen and never really threatened New Zealand's total.
All the New Zealand bowlers had success with the ball, but Jack Hunter was the chief wicket-taker with figures of three for 33 from 9.4 overs.
