U19 World Cup: India knock Pakistan out with dominant win

India produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by 58 runs in their Super Six match at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday. The win sealed India’s place in the semi-finals, while Pakistan were eliminated from the tournament.

Chasing a target of 253, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 in 48.2 overs. Despite fighting knocks from Usman Khan, who top-scored with 66 off 92 balls, and wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, who made 42 from 49 deliveries, Pakistan never recovered from regular wickets.

India captain Ayush Mhatre led from the front with the ball, picking up 3 for 21, while Khilan Patel claimed 3 for 35 to break Pakistan’s resistance. Kanishk Chouhan was named Player of the Match for his key contributions with both bat and ball.

Earlier, India were asked to bat first and posted a competitive 252 after being bowled out in 49.5 overs. Openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George gave India a steady start, reaching 24 without loss in three overs.

Mohammad Sayyam struck early for Pakistan, dismissing Sooryavanshi for 30 and then removing captain Mhatre for a duck in the same over. Abdul Subhan added to India’s troubles by bowling George for 16, leaving India struggling at 49 for 3 after 10 overs.

Vedant Trivedi and Vihaan Malhotra then rebuilt the innings with a calm 62-run partnership. Trivedi played the anchor role, reaching his half-century off 74 balls, while Malhotra contributed 21 before falling in the 24th over.

India lost wickets at regular intervals, but Trivedi continued to fight, scoring 68 off 98 balls before being dismissed in the 41st over. A vital eighth-wicket stand of 50 runs between Khilan Patel and Kanishk Chouhan gave India the late push they needed.

Patel struck 21 off 15 balls, while Chouhan added a brisk 35 from 29 deliveries as India crossed the 250 mark.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan (3/33) and Mohammad Sayyam (2/69) were the standout bowlers, but the total proved too much to chase as India marched confidently into the semi-finals.