India’s Under-19 team thrashed Pakistan by a massive 203 runs to qualify for their sixth World Cup final in New Zealand on Tuesday, 30 January.
This is India's biggest win against Pakistan at the age group level. Three-time champions India have won the tournament in 2000 (under Mohammed Kaif), 2008 (Virat Kohli), 2012 (Unmukt Chand) while losing two finals in 2006 (Cheteshwar Pujara) and 2016 (Ishan Kishan).
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India’s Shubhman Gill smashed an unbeaten 102 off 94 balls to guide India to 272 for 9 after winning the toss. Openers Prithvi Shaw (41 from 42 balls) and Manjot Kalra (47 from 70 balls) laid the foundation with an 89-run opening stand during which the skipper was the aggressor and Kalra the anchor.
But both were out in quick succession after which Gill took over to flay the Pakistani bowling attack with stylish stroke-play.
Seamer Ishan Porel (4/17 in 6 overs) scythed through the Pakistan top-order with a terrific opening spell to help bowl them out for a mere 69 in 29.3 overs.
It was a walk in the park for the Indians as the Pakistanis once again found Shivam Mavi (4 -3-6-0) and Kamlesh Nagarkoti's (5-1-7-0) pace too hot to handle.
Once Pakistan were 28 for 4, the Indian slow bowlers came into the act with left-arm spinner Shiva Singh (2/20 in 8 overs) and off-break bowler Riyan Das (2/6 in 4 overs) blowing away the opposition lower order to win the match in no time.
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(With inputs from PTI.)
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