Bowlers do the star turn for India, Pakistan
Pakistan’s Afridi bags one of the best hauls in Under-19 ICC World Cup history
It was a day of the bowlers at the Under-19 ICC World Cup as India and Pakistan won their respective matches to move a step closer towards qualification for the Super League stage yesterday.
Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy finished with a superb haul of five for 14 as three-time champions India completed a 10-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) for a second successive win.
In the other match of the day, 17-year-old Shaheen Afridi produced the best bowling figures for his country as two-time former champions Pakistan bounced back in style after their five-wicket loss to Afghanistan with an easy ninewicket victory over Ireland. The tall left-arm fast bowler grabbed six for 15, the fifth best figures in the tournament to date, as Ireland were bowled out for 97 in 28.5 overs in a Group D match in Whangarei. Pakistan got to the target in only 8.5 overs to brace up for their last match against Sri Lanka on Friday.
India’s dominance from early on in the Group B match was on expected lines after Shaw put the opposition in to bat. PNG could only manage a total of 64 in 21.5 overs.
Roy, who idolises India spinner Ravindra Jadeja, said: “I thought there would not be much help in the pitch for bowlers so I decided to concentrate on line and length. I got the desired results.”
Pakistan were determined to put up a strong performance against Ireland after having lost to Afghanistan and managed to do this through fast bowler Shaheen Afridi who tormented the Ireland batsmen bowling out three batsmen and having three caught behind.