India-BD U-19 WC quarterfinal today

QUEENSTOWN: Unbeaten in the Under-19 World Cup competition so far, India take on Bangladesh in their bid to complete the Super League semifinal line-up on Friday.

India have been in prime form since setting foot in New Zealand. They steamrolled Australia by a 100 runs in what was expected to be their toughest contest in group stages. This morale-boosting start to the tournament was followed by comprehensive, 10-wicket thrashings of PNG and Zimbabwe to top their group. Skipper Prithvi Shaw has led from the front with scores of 94 and an unbeaten 57, while Shubman Gill has also been in good touch. Having said that, the rest of their batting hasn’t been pushed hard yet. Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy has led the bowling department with 10 wickets in the three outings, while Kamlesh Nagarkoti has also significantly troubled oppositions with his pace.

Although they haven’t been as thoroughly tested heading into the knockouts, Bangladesh did emerge as the second-best side in Group C to qualify for the Super League. They opened their campaign with 87 and 66-run defeats of Namibia and Canada respectively before flunking the real challenge against England. And the road only promises to get tougher for they have been matched against one of the pre-tournament favourites in the quarters. On paper, India start strong favourties, but Bangladesh will pin their hopes on off-spinning all-rounder Afif Hossain who has two fifties to his name already - including a impressive 63 in their loss against England - and a fifer too. The winner of this contest meets the other subcontinental rival - Pakistan - in the Super League semifinal in Christchurch on January 30.

Teams (From): India: Prithvi Shaw (c), Shubman Gill, Manjot Kalra, Himanshu Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Harvik Desai, Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ishan Porel, Anukul Sudhakar Roy, Shiva Singh, Aryan Juyal, Arshdeep Singh, Pankaj Yadav, Aditya Thakare

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan (c), Pinak Ghosh, Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Aminul Islam, Mohammad Rakib, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Shakil Hossain, Robiul Hoque, Nayeem Hasan, Qazi Onik, Roni Hossen, Hasan Mahmud, Tipu Sultan.