with thumping win India vs Pakistan semi-final at U-19 cricket World Cup If there was a perfect script for ICC U-19 World Cup, India vs Pakistan would have been the final match. The two rivals competing for a world title is always special and emotional. But the two teams will meet in a do-or-die encounter on Wednesday for a spot in the final of the tournament. India set up a semi-final clash with Pakistan at the World Cup after scoring a big win over Bangladesh in the quarter-final on Friday. The quarter-final was a lop-sided affair as India beat Bangladesh by 131 runs, showing once again how dominant they have been in this tournament. In every department of the game, India showed great maturity and discipline to reach their second successive semi-final. India registered a thumping 131-run win over Bangladesh in the quarter-final match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 played at the Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown on Friday. After posting a competitive total of 265, India bowled out Bangladesh for 134 in 42.1 overs with Kamlesh Nagarkoti taking three for 18. With this win, India booked their semi-final spot and also a mouth-watering clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Tuesday, 30th January in Christchurch.Pakistan had beaten South Africa in the quarters. The other semi-final will be played between Afghanistan and Australia.After winning the toss, Indian skipper Prithvi Shaw had no hesitation in batting first, on a track on which Australia had managed to defend a total of 127 against Australia. With batting not as easy as in Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, where India played all their league games, the Indian top-order was tested for the first time in the competition. But despite that, the Indian-middle order did well to help their team put up a fighting total. Vice-captain Shubman Gill was once again in the thick of runs scoring his third consecutive fifty plus score with a well-compiled 86 off 94 deliveries. Shaw scored 40 at the top while allrounder Abhishek Sharma chipped in with 50 off 49 deliveries late in the innings. Shaw was cautious at first, while Gill took on the role of the aggressor and despite Bangladesh bowlers maintaining a disciplined line, India managed 71 in the first 10 overs. But when it looked Shaw would up the ante, medium-pacer Qazi Onik produced a peach of a delivery to get rid of the Indian skipper. Qazi rolled his fingers over and the length ball zipped away after pitching and even though Shaw got an edge, the ball crashed on to the off stump. Harvik Desai, the wicket-keeper batsman then steady the ship for India with a 48-ball 34. He, along with Gill put on 74 runs for the fourth wicket in 98 deliveries as Bangladesh spinners curtailed the run flow in the middle-overs. But, the pressure of playing a World Cup semi-final against Pakistan will not be similar. There will expectations and this match will be followed by more people than all other matches combined. They have to remain at the top of their game if they want to reach their second final in two editions of the U-19 World Cup. India were the runners-up of the previous edition held in Bangladesh in 201]]>
Mon. Nov 25th, 2024
