India U19 has continued their dominating run in the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup 2018 in New Zealand. After defeating Australia U19 and Papua New Guinea U19 in their previous matches, they have now beaten Zimbabwe U19 in their final group match.
Zim U19 captain Liam Roche won the toss and decided to bat first. Zimbabwe U19 lost an early wicket as they lost Gregory Dollar for 7 runs on board. Milton Shumba (36), Liam Roche (31) and Wesley Madhevere (30) all tried to build partnerships to take Zimbabwe to a big score.
However, the Indian bowlers proved too difficult for the Zimbabwean U19s as spinner Anukul Roy continued his good form to take 4/20. He had taken a five wicket haul in the previous match against Papua New Guinea and demolished Zimbabwe’s middle order. He was well supported by Arshdeep Singh, who took 2/10 and Abhishek Sharma, who took 2/22.
Zimbabwe was bowled out for 154 in the 49th over.
In an effort to give other players some match time, both Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra moved down the order and Harvik Desai and Shubman Gill opened the innings for India U19. Harvik Desai played the anchoring role and scored 56* in 73 balls, hitting 8 fours and 1 six.
The batting star for India U19 proved to be Shubman Gill, who went after the Zimbabwean bowlers, hitting them to all parts of the Mount Maunganui ground. Gill remained unbeaten on 90 in just 59 balls with 14 fours and 1 six.
India completed their second victory of the group stage by 10 wickets and have became the strongest contenders to lift the World Cup trophy.
BRIEF SCORES:
ZIM U19 154 (M SHUMBA 36; A ROY 4/20) lost to India U19 155/0 (S GILL 90, H DESAI 56*) by 10 wkts.
