Under-19 World Cup: India registers comfortable victory over arch rival Pakistan and enters into finals

Christchurch, January 30: Indian cricket team registered a comfortable victory over arch-rival Pakistan by a huge margin of 203 runs in the second semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup at Christchurch, New Zealand and swiftly stormed into the finals. India will face three-time winners Australia on Saturday in the summit clash for the title.

 

Chasing a huge target of 273 runs in the semifinals, Pakistan could never really take off and were bowled out after scoring only 69 runs. Pakistan’s highest partnership of the innings was worth 20 runs that came between Saad Khan and Muhammad Musa.

Indian pacer Ishan shredded the Pakistan top-order, reducing them to 28/4 by the 12th over. Rohail Nazir, who was the top-scorer for them with 18 runs kept running out of partners and gave away his prized wicket to Riyan. Eight Pakistan batsmen fell in single-digits, with only Saad and Musa striking a few lusty blows towards the end. For India, Ishan Porel took 4 wickets while Riyan Parag clinched two wickets.

Earlier, India elected to bat first after winning the toss and made 272 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Shubman Gill scored 102 runs in 94 balls while Prithvi Shaw made 41 and Manjot Kalra contributed 47 runs. For Pakistan Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets.

However, Australia has already entered into the final by halting Afghanistan's dream run with a six-wicket victory in the first semifinal yesterday.