India defeat Pak to reach Under-19 World Cup final
POTCHEFSTROOM: Indian bowlers produced a brilliant performance under pressure to dismiss Pakistan for 172 in the first U-19 World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Pacer Kartik Tyagi (2/32 in 8 overs) bowled yorkers at will while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2/46 in 10 overs) was a difficult proposition to read for the Pakistani batsmen.
Pakistan skipper Rohail Nazir (62 off 102 balls) and opener Haider Ali (56 off 77 balls) were the only ones to make a significant contribution as the innings lasted just 43.1 overs.
POTCHEFSTROOM:DEFENDING champions India cruised to a 10-wicket win over Pakistan on Tuesday to reach the U19 World Cup final for the seventh time. India, the record four-time winners of the competition, dismissed Pakistan for 172 in 43.1 overs before comfortably knocking off the runs with 88 balls to spare.
India will play either New Zealand or Bangladesh, who meet in the second semi-final, for the title at the same venue on Sunday. Pakistan will contest the third-place play-off in Benoni on Saturday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal struck an unbeaten 105 off 113 balls, completing his century and sealing the victory in style with a six over deep mid-wicket. “It’s a dream come true for me. To be able to do this for my country is a great feeling. To score a hundred against Pakistan in a World Cup semi-final is something I can’t put into words,” said Jaiswal. “They bowled well initially and we wanted to ride that out and we knew we could dominate them after that.”
He was ably supported in a leisurely chase by Divyaansh Saxena who finished 59 not out, his second fifty of the competition.
Jaiswal earlier picked up the key wicket of Pakistan opener Haider Ali (56) with his part-time leg-spin as Pakistan collapsed from 96/2 in an innings where just three players made double digits. Ali and captain Rohail Nazir (62) helped Pakistan recover after losing Mohammad Huraira and Fahad Munir cheaply, but only Mohammad Haris, who hit a brisk 21 off 15 balls, provided any additional contribution.
Left-arm seamer Sushant Mishra took 3/28 while rightarm quick Kartik Tyagi and legspinner Ravi Bishnoi collected two wickets apiece.
“The pitch was good, and we didn’t put enough runs on the board,” said Pakistan skipper Nazir.
He added: “We learn from all our mistakes, and the boys are confident and happy that we played some good cricket in the tournament.”
Pakistan, who were back-toback champions in 2004 and 2006, haven’t beaten India at the U19 World Cup since 2010.