India's bowlers stayed cool under pressure ©ICC

Defending champions India have beaten Australia in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, at the Super League quarter-finals stage.  

The first quarter-final at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, was a thrilling encounter, with India batting first.

While opener Yashasvi Jaiswal anchored the innings, top-scoring with 62, his partners kept tumbling - and at 114-5, Australia's bowling attack was well on top.

However, crucial middle-order contributions kept the scoreline ticking over.

An unbeaten 55 from Atharva Ankolekar and a quick-fire 30 from Ravi Bishnoi helped India to a competitive 233-9 in their 50 overs.

A good start was crucial for Australia, but India's bowlers had other ideas, blitzing their top order and leaving them tottering on 17-4.

Man-of-the-match Kartik Tyagi did most of the damage, getting the crucial wickets of captain Mackenzie Harvey, Lachlan Hearne and Oliver Davies.

When Patrick Rowe was another Tyagi victim, the Australians were 68-5 and the match seemed as good as over.

However, opening batsman Sam Fanning was staying cool amongst the carnage, and his 81-run partnership with Liam Scott slowly brought the green-and-golds back into the game.

However, at 149-5 Scott was caught sharply by wicketkeeper Dhruv Chand Jurel for 35, and Fanning followed in the next over for a brave 75.

The Australian tail failed to wag further and they were all out for 159 - losing by 74 runs.

India, looking for their fifth Under-19 World Cup, proceed to the Super League semi-finals, where they will face Bangladesh or South Africa.

The highest Australia can now finish is fifth. 

In other matches today, Zimbabwe were too strong for Canada in the Plate quarter-finals at Ibbies Oval, Potchefstroom.

Zimbabwe posted an impressive 271-7, with Emmanuel Bawa's unbeaten 105 the highlight.

Canada were never in the running, bundled out for 176 - Zimbabwe now face Sri Lanka in the Plate semi-finals on Thursday (January 30).

Also in the Plate quarters, United Arab Emirates were bowled out by Scotland for 249 in 49 overs - Osama Hassan starred with the bat, scoring 81, while Daniel Cairns took an outstanding 4 for 32, including two wickets in one over.

Despite not having won a game in the tournament, Scotland were assured in their chase at the Witrand Oval.

Openers Uzzair Shah (71) and Ben Davidson (36) set the tone with a partnership of 90, with Tomas Mackintosh (57) and Angus Guy (43) driving them to 250-3 in 44.2 overs and a seven-wicket victory.

Scotland now face Sri Lanka in the Plate semi-final on Friday (January 31).

Tomorrow sees the second Super League quarter-final between West Indies and New Zealand.