India U19 Triumph Over Pakistan in Super Six Clash, Advance to Semifinals
In a thrilling encounter at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, the India Under-19 cricket team continued their unbeaten streak in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 58 runs in the Super Six match. This significant victory has secured India's place in the semifinals, where they are set to face Afghanistan for a chance to compete in the summit clash of the tournament.
India's Batting Performance: A Mixed Bag with Late Flourish
Inserted to bat first after losing the toss, India U19 managed to post a total of 252 runs before being bundled out in 49.5 overs. The innings saw a patient knock from Vedant Trivedi, who scored 68 runs off 98 balls, providing a stable platform for the team. However, the top order struggled to accelerate on a slow track that made shot-making challenging.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi started aggressively with 30 off 22 balls but fell trying a pull shot. Skipper Ayush Mhatre's poor form continued as he was dismissed for a first-ball duck, while Aaron George fell to a brilliant delivery from Abdul Subhan, who finished with impressive figures of 3/33. Vihaan Malhotra contributed 21 runs, but it was the late partnership between all-rounders Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel that added crucial runs.
Kanishk scored a quickfire 35 off 29 balls, and Khilan remained unbeaten on 21 off 15 balls, their 50-run stand in just 5.1 overs providing the final flourish that took India to a competitive total of 252.
Pakistan's Chase and Bowling Highlights
Pakistan needed to chase down the target of 253 runs to keep their semifinal hopes alive, but they faced a stiff challenge from the Indian bowlers. To qualify for the semifinals, Pakistan required to achieve the target in less than 33.4 overs to surpass India's net run-rate in the Super 6 Group B points table.
The Indian bowling attack, led by Khilan Patel and Ayush Mhatre, proved too strong for the Pakistani batters. Both Khilan and Ayush picked three wickets each, restricting Pakistan to just 194 runs in their allotted overs. This disciplined bowling performance ensured that Pakistan fell short by 58 runs, effectively ending their campaign in the tournament.
Key Moments and Match Analysis
The match was marked by several key moments that tilted the balance in India's favor. Abdul Subhan's spell for Pakistan was noteworthy, as he used his height to generate awkward bounce, making life difficult for the Indian batters. However, India's ability to recover from early setbacks, particularly through Vedant Trivedi's anchoring innings and the late surge from Kanishk and Khilan, proved decisive.
On the bowling front, India's strategy to exploit the conditions paid off, with Khilan Patel and Ayush Mhatre leading the charge. Their combined effort of six wickets dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup, ensuring a comfortable victory for the Indian Colts.
Looking Ahead: Semifinal Against Afghanistan
With this win, India has not only maintained their unbeaten record but also booked a semifinal clash against Afghanistan. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest as both teams vie for a spot in the final of the Under-19 World Cup. India will look to carry forward the momentum from this victory, while Afghanistan will pose a fresh challenge with their own set of strengths.
The Indian team's performance in this match, characterized by resilience with the bat and precision with the ball, sets a positive tone for their campaign as they aim for the championship title.
