India beat Pakistan by 58 runs to reach U19 World Cup semi-finals
India defeated Pakistan by 58 runs in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup at Bulawayo to reach the semi-finals. Vedant Trivedi scored 68, while Ayush Mhatre and Khilan Patel took three wickets each as Pakistan collapsed to 194
Bulawayo: Five-time champions India sealed their place in the semifinals of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup with a 58-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday, topping their Super Sixes group in the process.
Sent in to bat after Pakistan won the toss, India recovered from a collapse at 47/3 to post 252 in 49.5 overs. Vedant Trivedi anchored the innings with a composed 68 off 98 balls, while lower-order contributions from RS Ambrish (29), Kanishk Chouhan (35) and Khilan Patel (21) lifted the total past 250.
Pakistan’s bowlers struck in quick succession through Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan, but lapses in the field allowed India to add 39 runs in the final four overs. Pakistan’s qualification hopes hinged on chasing the target in 33.3 overs to overhaul India’s net run rate, but their pursuit never gathered urgency.
Henil Patel removed Sameer Minhas early, and although Usman Khan (50) and Farhan Yousaf offered resistance, the chase lost momentum on a deteriorating pitch. At 151/3 in the 30th over, Pakistan looked poised for a regulation win, but Yousaf’s dismissal triggered a collapse as the side lost its last eight wickets for 43 runs.
India captain Ayush Mhatre claimed three wickets, Khilan Patel also picked three, and the spinners tightened the noose as Pakistan were bowled out for 194 in 46.2 overs. India’s tactical discipline proved decisive, ensuring they avoided a semifinal against Australia in Bulawayo on February 3 and instead set up a clash with Afghanistan in Harare on February 4.
Brief Scores: India 252 in 49.5 overs (Vedant Trivedi 68, Kanishk Chouhan 35; Abdul Subhan 3-33) beat Pakistan 194 in 46.2 overs (Usman Khan 66, Hamza Zahoor 42; Ayush Mhatre 3-21, Khilan Patel 3-35) by 58 runs.
