TORONTO, Canada, CMC – United States will join the likes of former champions West Indies at next year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, after defeating Canada by seven wickets in a winner-takes-all qualifier here Friday.
Chasing 93 in a match reduced to 22 overs per side due to rain at Maple Leaf North-West Ground, United States reached their target with 28 balls to spare, to clinch the 16th and final spot at the showpiece scheduled for next January.
Last weekend, Canada collared the US by two wickets to remain unbeaten in the qualifying tournament, but their subsequent defeat on Friday saw the US advance courtesy of superior net run rate, after both teams finished on 10 points
Bermuda were third in the group after registering a single win in six outings while Argentina finished bottom without a point after failing to win a game.
“It’s been a long journey for us in the USA and we’re finally here. We’ve made history and are proud to represent our country,” said US captain, Rishi Ramesh.
Sent in, Canada reached 92 for nine from their allotted overs with lower order batsman Yash Mondkar top-scoring with 22 from 28 balls and Parth Patel taking three for 17.
In reply, the US were lifted by an unbeaten 36 off 39 balls from opener Prannav Chettipalayam and an unbeaten 25 off 28 balls from Utkarsh Srivastava.
The US last featured at an ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2010 when they failed to get out of the group stage after losing all three games.
The victorious United States Under-19s. (Photo courtesy ICC website)