Three-time champions Australia began their Under-19 World Cup campaign with a 101-run victory over minnows Namibia in Abu Dhabi in Group B. 

Batting first, Australia were dominant despite losing Kevin Smith early. Matthew Short made a patient 138-ball 96, with nine fours, and added 80 runs for the second wicket with Jaron Morgan before Bredell Wessells dismissed the latter for 33.

After Morgan’s dismissal, a century stand between Short and Ben McDermott (45) further strengthened Australia’s position and a 35- run partnership between Alex Gregory and James Bazley took them to 242-7.

Namibia, losing wickets at regular intervals, never looked comfortable in the chase and were bowled out for 141 in 44.2 overs.

Elsewhere in the other group B match, Shadman Islam’s unbeaten century (126 not out) and Joyraz Sheik’s 81 not out helped Bangladesh to a 10-wicket victory over Afghanistan at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

After winning the toss and putting Afghanistan to bat, Bangladesh overhauled the 213-run target with ease.

Man-of-the-match, Islam said: “It was really great to score a century in the first match. We just wanted to play straight and not give any wickets in the first 10 overs. I really enjoyed getting to the century with a boundary.”

In another match, Zander Muir and Nick Farrar put on a fourthwicket partnership of 53 to take Scotland to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea in its Group A clash