In the semi-finals of the ongoing U-19 World Cup in South Africa, the Indian team defeated Pakistan by ten wickets in a one-sided match. With the win, defending champion India reached the final for a record seventh time. Pakistan scored 172 runs in 43 overs at the Potchefstroom in South Africa. India scored 176 runs without loss in 35.2 overs.
Indian Team first reached the final in 2000 and became champion. This was followed by runners-up in 2006, winners in 2008, winners in 2012, runners-up in 2016 and winners in 2018.
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 105 not out and Divyansh Saxena scored 59 not out. Both shared a 176-run partnership for the first wicket. This is the biggest partnership for the opening wicket in this tournament. It is also the biggest partnership in the semi-finals in the history of this tournament. Yashaswi and Divyansha shared a century partnership for the second time in the tournament. Earlier, he had added 115 not out against New Zealand.
Priyam Garg India U19 skipper said “Very happy to reach the final. We are going to focus on the trophy. One step closer to it. I think we have the best pace attack in the tournament. All fast bowlers can build up good pace and spinners bowl right line and length. The spinners compliment the pacers well. This is not the first time they (Jaiswal and Saxena) have done this. They have been batting like this for last one year. They have great co-ordination. They also come from the same state so thay understand each other very well. I think we would like to focus on the same process and play the final as just another game.”
Earlier for Pakistan, captain Rohail Nazir scored 62 and Haider Ali scored 56 runs. Sushant Mishra took 3 wickets for India. Karthik Tyagi and Ravi Bishnoi had two wickets each. Haider shared a 62-run partnership for the third wicket with Rohail. Apart from Hyder, Rohail and Haris, no other Pakistani batsman could reach the two digit figures.
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