India thrashed Pakistan by 58 runs to set-up a semifinal clash with Afghanistan in the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 in Bulawayo on Sunday (February 1).
To secure a place in the final-four and knock Pakistan out of the tournament, India U19 needed to stop Pakistan U19 from completing the chase of 253 in 33.3 overs or less, and the Ayush Mhatre-led side successfully managed to do so.
After a fiery start from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made 30 from 22 balls, the Boys in Blue suffered a collapse to lose three wickets without adding a run for 47.
However, Vedant Trivedi put up a strong 68 from 98 balls while Kanish Chouhan helped in the finish with 35 (29 balls) as India reached a respectable 252 all-out in 49.5 overs after being asked to bat first.
In the chase, Pakistan U19 were cruising at 151/2 but skipper Farhan Yousaf’s wicket in the 30th over triggered a collapse.
Khilan Patel and captain Mhatre ran through the opposition line-up with three wickets each as Pakistan’s innings eventually folded for 194 in 46.2 overs.
Indian cricket fraternity was all praises for the India U19 team for defending a modest total against the arch-rivals.
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