Townsville: India tail-enders showed nerves of steel to beat their arch nemesis Pakistan by a wicket in a low scoring affair to qualify for the semi-finals of the U-19 Cricket World Cup here today.
Electing to bat first Pakistan never looked to be comfortable against the Indian bowling attack. None of their batsmen could on top the bowling and were dismissed for a paltry 136 in 45.1 overs.
It was the duo of Ravikant Singh and Sandeep Sharma who wreacked havoc and scalped three wickets apiece to leave Pakistan in the doldrums.
For Pakistan with was Babar who top scored with 50 of 109 deliveries including four boundaries. Pakistan at one point looked like they can’t even go beyond 100 but then a fluent 35 of 38 by their number nine batsman Ehsan Adil took them past the three figure mark. His knock was laced with four huge sixes.
India coming out to chase a meagre target had a horrendous start and they lost three quick wickets were reeling at 8-3 after five overs.
B Aparajith and Vijay Zol started the restructuring the innings and put up a 68 runs partnership to take India past 50 runs mark.
Zol who was looking good was run out with the scorecard reading 74-4. He scored 36 of 62 deliveries including five fours. However his wicket did not see Aparajith losing his calm and he carried on and reached his half century. But soon after his fifty, he got out leaving India in a comfortable position.
With just 17 needed with four wickets in hand, it looked like an easy task for India but then the tide suddenly changed in Pakistan’s favour and they scalped three quick wickets to leave India in a precarious situation.
With Indian Colts still needing 10 runs to win with a wicket in hand, Indian tail-enders Harmeet Singh and Sandeep Sharma held on to their nerves and brought India home.
Aparajith was named the man of the match for hi gritty half century.
By Indian Sports News Network
