Zaheer Khan is confident that the Indian colts will beat their Pakistani counterparts in the semi-final of the U19 World Cup 2020.

The Indian U19 team beat Australia in the Quarter-finals of the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup 2020 in South Africa and are all set to face Pakistan in the semis on February 3 (Tuesday). Former Indian seamer Zaheer Khan was in Mumbai for an event where he said that he believes India U19 will beat Pakistan.

Khan said, “Well, the U-19 kids are doing very well. They have been in some tough situations and they have fought back from there, so that goes a long way in a tournament like (the) World Cup when you are competing against different nations.”

“When you talk about India-Pakistan (matches) that brings out extra edge also to the whole competition. So I am sure the boys will be geared up for the big occasion and they will do well,” he added.

He was at the National Cricket Club in Mumbai for the event. He also spoke about the Mumbaikar opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is the highest run-getter for India U19 in the tournament so far.

“He (Jaiswal) has been doing well. In domestic ODI competition also he has made that impact. So, I wish him all the luck and (he) has got the potential and at the moment (he is) serving for the U19 Indian team. So the team needs that (his services). It is about the team coming together and if he can spark that with a good start, nothing like that,” the 41-year-old said.

The ICC Women’s T20 World cup will also begin this month. Zaheer Khan praised the Indian women’s team and wished them well for the tournament in Australia.

“They have been doing fantastically well. They have been superb with whatever opportunities they are getting, so World is another opportunity for them to go out there and inspire girls in our country,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)