Under-19 World Cup: India beat Pakistan by 203-runs, reach final
India are on course to win a record fourth Under-19 Cricket World Cup after a thumping 203 run victory over Pakistan in the semi-final of the prestigious tournament. Having won the toss first, India opted to bat and posted a challenging 273 run target riding on in-form man Shubman Gill's century. Here is the complete match report of this high octane fixture.
India got off to a flying start with captain, Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Karla stitching a 89-run opening wicket partnership. However, Pakistan struck back to dismiss the duo within a span of two overs. From then on, it was all about Shubman Gill, who came in to bat at number three and scored an unbeaten 102 to guide India to 272/9.
In reply, Pakistan just couldn't keep going. Pacer, Ishan Porel struck early claiming the first four wickets, leaving Pakistan at 28/4. Shiva Singh and Riyan Parag picked up 2 wickets each while Anukul Roy and Abhishek Sharma bagged a wicket apiece to wrap up Pakistan's innings for a paltry 69, setting up a massive 203 run victory.
India's 203 run victory is the second biggest victory in a Youth ODI knockout game. The biggest victory was also claimed by India when they beat England by a massive 234 runs in the 2006 U19 CWC semi-final. India have never lost a youth ODI game while defending a total of 270 or more. This is Pakistan's third-lowest total in youth ODIs.
Shubman Gill is turning into a serial record breaker. He is the first player with six consecutive fifty-plus scores in Youth ODI history. He is the second player after Mehidy Hasan Miraz with four consecutive fifty-plus scores in the Under-19 World Cup history.
Shubman Gill's ton is the third fastest by an Indian at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The 18-year-old achieved the feat in 93 balls. The fastest century by an Indian at the premier tournament was slammed by young Virat Kohli off just 73 balls, followed by Rishabh Pant, who scored it in 82 balls.
Shubman Gill is the first player to score a century in an India-Pakistan Under-19 Cricket World Cup game. Salman Butt's 85* in 2002 was the highest score in such fixtures so far. India will now face Australia in the final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Both the teams have 3 titles each and will be chasing their record fourth title.
