India clinch thriller against Pakistan to reach Under 19 World Cup semi-final
By CricketCountry Staff
Townsville: Aug 20, 2012
Baba Aparajith scored a gritty half-century and Vijay Zol scored 36, as India registered a thrilling one-wicket win against Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing Under 19 World Cup in Australia on Monday.
Chasing a modest total of 137 to win, India wobbled during their chase and were staring at defeat before Sandeep Sharma and Harmeet Singh teamed up to get 10 runs for the 10th wicket.
India suffered a batting collapse early on as they were reduced to 8-3, before Aparajith and Zol joined forces to bail their side out of trouble.
Aparajith and Zol added 66 runs for the fourth wicket.
For Pakistan, Zia-Ul-Haq bagged three wickets for 23 and Azizullah claimed 3 for 30 off their 10 overs.
Ehsan Adil, too chipped in with the ball and claimed two for 25 off his 10 overs.
Earlier in the first innings, Sandeep nd Ravikant Singh claimed three wickets each as Pakistan were bowled out for 136 in their Under 19 World Cup quarterfinal match against India at the Ireland Stadium in Townsville on Monday.
Babar Azam struck 50 off 109 balls and four boundaries, and Ehsan Adil produced a gritty 35, as the Pakistan batting order stuttered against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
Sandeep claimed three wickets for 24 runs off his 8.1 overs, while Ravikant once again impressed with the figures of 3 for 43 off his 10 overs.
As many as four Pakistan batsmen were dismissed for a duck, after skipper Azam won the toss and elected to bat first.
Pakistan’s 136 came from 45.1 overs.
Kamal Passi, who shone with the figures of 6-23 against Zimbabwe in the previous game, made Pakistan batsmen struggle as they could manage only 19 runs off his 10 overs.
Passi also claimed the wicket of Zafar Gohar.
Brief Scores: Pakistan U-19 136 all-out from 45.1 overs (Babar Azam 50, Ehsan Adil 35; Sandeep Sharma 3 for 24, Ravikant Singh 3 for 43) lost to India U-19 137 for 9 from 48 overs (Baba Aparajith 51, Vijay Zol 36; Zia-Ul-Haq 3 for 23, Azizullah 3 for 30, Ehsan Adil 2 for 25) by 1 wicket
Man of the Match: Baba Aparajith