India vs Pakistan U19 World Cup: Mhatre, Kanishk weave magic as IND outclass PAK to reach semis in style

India vs Pakistan U19 World Cup LIVE Score: Follow Updates

India vs Pakistan U19 World Cup: Ayush Mhatre led a brilliant spin show as India outclassed Pakistan to secure a stylish semi-final berth. Defending a total of 252, the Indian spinners ran through the Pakistan batting lineup, restricting them to just 194 and sealing a 58-run victory. Pakistan struggled throughout, failing to maintain the required pace in the 33.3-over chase for a semi-final spot and eventually collapsing under pressure. It was a comprehensive performance from India, with the spin attack turning the game decisively in their favour. Vedant Trivedi anchored India’s innings with a determined 68, guiding IND to 252 on a challenging pitch. Pakistan maintained tight control with the ball, striking regularly to curb India’s scoring and limit the total. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell first, followed swiftly by Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George, leaving India reeling at three down. Now, the young duo are on a rescue mission, looking to rebuild the innings and keep the scoreboard ticking under mounting pressure. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wicket set off a mini-collapse, with India now struggling at three down. He was followed soon after by Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George, leaving the visitors under pressure. Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf won the toss and chose to field first against India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, putting the visitors in early. With India sent in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be keen to seize the initiative and lay down a strong opening statement after Pakistan’s bold decision.

With the mystery and tension surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board potentially pulling out from the men's T20 World Cup to be held in India, there is an element of tension introduced to this rivalry contest between the colts that will colour the proceedings as the two teams gun for a spot in the semifinals.

It has been a strange tournament for India, and it has a chance today to get stranger still. Facing their arch-rivals Pakistna in Bulawayo in the final match of the Super Sixes stage of the U-19 Men's World Cup, and unbeaten India could still fail to make the semifinals if they lose by a heavy enough margin today – and by that no means is a fiction, with the 191-run drubbing India suffered in the Asia Cup final against these opponents just about four weeks ago.

In the second Super Sixes group, the equation is that England are through with four wins in their four total matches; India sit in second place with three wins on six points, with a healthy net run rate, and Pakistan are right behind them with four points – and within striking distance with their own NRR.

The concern for India heading into this match is that they haven't had a single batter who has really stood up and taken this tournament by the collar just yet. In some ways, it is a good thing that they have relied on a variety of performances from guys like Abhigyan Kundu, Vihaan Malhotra, and RS Ambrish to get wins on the board so far – but their top-order behemoths of Vaibhav Suryavansh and Ayush Mhatre have been kept relatively quiet thus far.

The point being, Pakistan have that kind of devastating batting at the top of the order, and enough quality bowlers to give India the big knock on the head and progress at their expense. Despite easing through the tournament thus far, India really haven't had a big challenge – and that is the very first thing they should expect from their neighbours.

Squads:

India U19 Squad: Ayush Mhatre (c), Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Kanishk Chouhan, RS Ambrish, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Udhav Mohan, Harvansh Pangalia, Mohamed Enaan, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh

Pakistan U19 Squad: Farhan Yousaf(c), Hamza Zahoor (wk), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Huzaifa Ahsan, Mohammad Shayan, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza, Umar Zaib, Ali Hassan Baloch, Daniyal Ali Khan, Niqab Shafiq