India thrash Pakistan in U- 19 World Cup semis by over 200 runs
GILL HITS TON AS INDIA DRUB PAKISTAN TO ENTER FINAL
Christchurch, Jan. 30: India reaffirmed their supremacy in age- group cricket as they walloped arch- rivals Pakistan by an incredible 203 runs to make it to their sixth ICC U- 19 cricket World Cup final here on Tuesday. This is India’s biggest win against Pakistan at the age group level as the gulf in standard was way too visible. India have won the tournament in 2000 ( under Mohammed Kaif), 2008 ( Virat Kohli) and 2012 ( Unmukt Chand) while losing two finals in 2006 ( Cheteshwar Pujara) and 2016 ( Ishan Kishan).
The immensely talented Shubman Gill hit classy unbeaten 102 off 94 balls to guide India to 272/ 9 after winning the toss and then seamer Ishan Porel ( 4/ 17 in 6 overs) scythed through the Pakistan top- order with a terrific opening spell to help them bowl out for a mere 69 in 29.3 overs. “It was an outstanding performance from the bowlers as well as the batsmen. I am very satisfied with the performance. I am expecting an exciting contest against Australia in the final. I would also like to thank the crowd for their support,” skipper Prithvi Shaw said.
The concerns whether multi crore IPL deals will be a distraction proved to be unfounded as ‘ Boys in is once in a lifetime opportunity while auctions happen every year. Dravid’s boys will now take on Australia in the summit clash on February 3 in what will be a repeat of the 2012 edition which India won in Australia.
Under Dravid, the team has now reached back- toback U- 19 World Cup final. India literally outclassed their bitter rivals as it turned out to be a no contest in the end. Openers Prithvi Shaw ( 41 from 42 balls) and Manjot Kalra ( 47 from 70 balls) again laid the foundation with 89- run opening stand during which the skipper was the aggressor and Kalra the anchor.