Young Kanishk Chouhan showcased his all-round prowess as India comfortably defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 58 runs in a Super Six clash to qualify for the semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bulawayo on Sunday. In the semifinals, India will play Afghanistan, and Australia will face England.
All-rounder Kanishk led India U-19 to a respectable 252 in 49.5 overs with a swift 29-ball-35 and a 50-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Khilan Patel (21 not out off 15 balls). However, for Pakistan to advance for the semi-finals on account of better run-rate, they needed to reach 253 in 33.3 overs but their batsmen didn’t seem interested in making a match as they managed 167 for 4 in 33.3 overs before finally getting bowled out for 194 in 46.2 overs.
With stats of 1/30 in 10 overs, including an incredible 40 dot balls, Kanishk was the bowler who essentially halted the Pakistani team in its tracks. Left-arm spinner Khilan Patel (3/35 in 9.2 overs) and captain Ayush Mhatre (3/231 in 8 overs) both used pitch-assisting spinners to stifle the run flow during the middle overs.
After Henil Patel’s off-cutter dismissed Pakistan’s Asia Cup hero Sameer Minhas, the remaining batters oddly adopted a defensive stance.
“There was a good start but in the middle, the ball was spinning. The way KC (Kanishk’s nickname) batted brilliant. Vedant (Trivedi) was batting well in the nets, so I was confident in him. Boys were contributing. Pakistan batters batted well in the first 25 (overs), after that the spinners bowled really well. We are looking match by match. Just want to win the semi-finals,” PTI quoted skipper Mhatre saying after the match.
Earlier, Kanishk and Khilan contributed 50 runs in only 5.1 overs to deliver a final flourish after Vedant’s steady 68 off 98 balls helped them create a platform. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (30 off 22 balls) began batting in his usual attacking manner, but he was bowled after attempting a second pull-shot in as many deliveries, despite receiving a reprieve from left-arm seamer Mohammad Sayyam’s (2/69) bowling.
Aaron George received a ripper from lanky Abdul Subhan (3/33), who pitched on middle and advanced a shade to dislodge the off-stump, while captain Ayush Mhatre (0) extended his nightmare record in Youth ODIs with a first-ball duck. Because of his height, Subhan bowled full and straight, creating an unnatural bounce that made it hard for the batters.
After India was reduced to 47 for 3 from 47 for no loss, left-handed Vihaan Malhotra (21) joined Vedant and finished the innings with a 62-run partnership. However, because of the sluggish track, which made making shots challenging, none of the top order hitters, including Vedant, were able to quicken the pace of the innings.
After playing 98 balls and hitting two fours and a six, the right-handed Vedant was dismissed due to a weak shot off a full-toss from left-arm wrist spinner Momin Qamar. Just when it was required to get the squad to a safe score, Khilan and Kanishk took a chance.
India cricketers did not shake hands with Pakistan players following the game, as has been customary.
