Pakistan lift the gloom as rain hands them third place

Two-time champions suffered a 203-run defeat to India in semis

Two-time champions Pakistan claimed third position at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup after their third-fourth position play-off match against Afghanistan was washed-out without a ball being bowled.

Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in their Group D clash but Pakistan topped the group after the Afghans suffered a surprise defeat against Ireland. This meant third spot was awarded to the Pakistan side.

Pakistan, the only country to have won back-to-back titles, in 2004 and 2006, got past South Africa by three wickets in the quarter-finals but suffered a massive 203 runs defeat to India in the semi-finals with the team bundled out for only 69 runs.

Afghanistan lost to threetime champions Australia by six wickets in the semi-finals after a huge 202-run victory over New Zealand in their last-eight fixture.

Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana said: “We’re happy but we would have liked to be in the final. Both teams wanted to play today and it would have been better if we had played and got these positions.”

He praised the fast bowling attack of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Musa and Arshad Iqbal.

“I thought we saw talented players in all teams. Pakistan has some really good fast bowlers and also some good batsmen. I think they should be given more time in domestic cricket. There are expectations from them but they should play first-class and A cricket [before graduating to senior international cricket].