India rout Pakistan in U-19 WC semis

CHRISTCHURCH: Shubman Gill and Ishan Porel came up with crucial performances to help India thrash Pakistan and seal a place in the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Christchurch on Tuesday (January 30).

Gill’s unbeaten ton helped India reach 272 for 9 before Porel landed the knockout punch early on in the chase. Rattled early on, all Pakistan could manage was just 69 - their lowest score in Under-19 World Cup - to slip to a 203-run loss.

Opting to bat, India got off to a solid start. Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra scored 89 for the opening wicket inside 16 overs to put Pakistan under pressure. Pakistan, to their credit, created several opportunities but failed to grab them. Kalra was dropped twice and survived a run out chance while Shaw was run out after he had survived two. For India’s chances, it was crucial they didn’t allow Shaheen Afridi to come into game. The batsmen did well to see him off and that only created more desperation in the opposition camp. Once Shaw was dismissed in 16th over, Muhammad Musa had Kalra caught behind two overs later for 47. Harvik Desai and Gill took the team forward before Pakistan fought back with quick wickets.

India were cruising at 148 for 2 when Desai edged one to the ‘keeper off Arshad Iqbal. The pacer helped Pakistan claw their way back in the game as Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma too fell cheaply. With the team wobbling at 166 for 5, Gill collaborated with Anukul Roy to steady the innings. Roy played perfect second fiddle as Gill played cautiously to keep the Pakistan bowling at bay.

India lost wickets in a cluster towards the end as well but Gill picked up the scoring rate to reach his century in the final over. He also became the first player to score a century in the Under-19 World Cup game between India and Pakistan going past Salman Butt’s record of unbeaten 85 in the 2002 clash. Gill’s century was also the first by an Indian batsman in this edition as he went past Shaw’s score of 94 scored in the opening encounter against Australia.

Having let the momentum slip away, Pakistan were under tremendous pressure. Their bowling had been doing the job and in a crucial clash they now had to tackle the scoreboard pressure. Porel though had other ideas. Shivam Mavi created pressure from one end and Porel picked up the wickets. Mavi had three maidens from his first four overs as Porel managed to knock over four wickets to leave Pakistan tottering at 28 for 4.

While Pakistan failed to grab the chances presented to them, India were exceptional on the field with their catching. With wickets tumbling, the runs dried up as well. The scoring rate struggled to go past three per over helping India to boss the game. From 28 for 4, Pakistan nosedived to 45 for 7 and not long after crashed out of the tournament.

Brief scores: 272/9 in 50 overs. (Shubman Gill 102*; Muhammad Musa 4-67) beat Pakistan 69 in 29.3 overs (Ishan Porel 4-17) by 203 runs.

New Zealand vs England, 7th place play-off: Tom Banton’s ton and some late fightback from the bowlers helped England beat New Zealand by 32 runs and end the tournament in the seventh position. Banton made 112 as England posted 261 for 7 before New Zealand folded for 229 in a close encounter. New Zealand, towards the end, lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs.

Reduced to 22 for 2, New Zealand got back on their feet via a 67-run stand between Finn Allen (87) and Kaylum Boshier (31). Once the latter was dismissed, Katene Clarke (60) and Allen propelled the side towards the target. They managed to add 113 for the fifth wicket. New Zealand needed 70 in the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand before a poor decision ruined it for the hosts. Allen was given lbw off Will Jacks but the ball pitched way outside leg. Clarke too fell soon after to the same bowler as New Zealand slipped to 210 for 5. With a small avenue ahead of them, England smashed the door open and cantered home to a win.

Earlier, England recovered well after being reduced to 48 for 3. Tom Banton and Jack Davies scored 139 for the fourth wicket to bring the innings back on track before the latter fell for a 76-ball 63. There was another wobble soon after the dismissal but Banton carried on to lift the side over 260.

Brief scores: England 261/7 in 50 overs (Tom Banton 112; Luke Georgeson 3-29) beat NZ 229 in 47.1 overs (Finn Allen 87; Euan Woods 3-44) by 32 runs.