Malaysia defeated Zimbabwe by 70 runs on Wednesday to make proud all the associate nations and force the African Test nation out of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup contention.

Also on Wednesday, Sri Lanka defeated Namibia by 163 runs to progress to the Super League with Australia and ends Nepal’s mathematical chance of qualification. Nepal now plays in the Plate League.

Malaysia scored 194/8 in 50 overs. Zimbabwe in reply was out for 124 in 38.4 overs.

Invited to bat first, the hosts batted well, with A Faizal and A Faiz adding 70-run for third wicket and providing the foundation. Faizal got 30 while Faiz completed his half-century in 77 balls before getting out.

A good knock by S Aslan (40 off 42 balls) ensured Malaysia a good total that turned out to be too much for the Zimbabweans. For Zimbabwe, D Landman took three wickets while K Jarvis got a couple.

Zimababwe batsmen failed to show patient on the crease as Malaysian took wickets at regular interval to make it 77/5 in 24th over. From there on, Landman and T Chimbambo tried to reverse the match 35-run partnership - the biggest partnership of the innings.

Landman fell to Aslan at 112/5 and the Zimbabwean innings crumbled as they lost last five wickets for 12 runs with Aslan finishing with 3/41. A Ramly and Nik Azril each claimed a couple of wickets

For Zimbabwe, the top scorers were T. Tashonganyika (24), Chimbambo (22) and Landman (19). With the loss, Zimbabwe are not into the plate whereas Malaysia can progress to the super league if they defeat New Zealand on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 8 wickets and West Indies beat Papua New Guinea by 176 runs.

With a round of match remaining in the league round, the situation of the teams is:

Group A: Pakistan, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Malaysia

Pakistan has already confirmed a Super League birth and Zimbabwe is already out. Good news for associate is that hosts Malaysia is still in contention to progress to Super League. Malaysia plays New Zealand on Thursday and the winner qualifies for the Super League.

Group B: India, West Indies, South Africa, Papua New Guinea

India is not yet confirmed the Super League birth despite two wins in two matches. South Africa plays PNG on Thursday while India plays West Indies on Friday. If South Africa and West Indies emerges winners in the matches, then the three Test nations will have four points each with top two on net run rate qualifying for the Super League. PNG is already out of contention.

Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Namibia

Australia and Sri Lanka, with two wins, have confirmed their progress while Nepal and Namibia will be in the plate after two loses. Nepal plays Namibia on Thursday for pride and Australia plays Sri Lanka on Friday for top spot.

Group D: England, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Ireland

With two wins, England and Bangladesh have qualified while the two associate nations are into the plate not. On Thursday, the bottom two play for pride while two Test nations plays for top spot.

Already confirmed in Super League: Australia, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan

Still in contention for Super League: New Zealand or Malaysia (winner of the Thursday’s game), Two From: West Indies or South Africa or India

Confirmed for Plate: Zimbabwe, Nepal, Namibia, PNG, Bermuda, Ireland