Press Trust of India
Mirpur, Jan 30: India came up with a convincing 120-run victory over New Zealand in Group D to enter the quarterfinals league of the ICC U-19 World Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here Saturday.
India, sent in to bat by New Zealand, piled up 258/8 with Sarfaraz Khan top-scoring with 74 for the second time in the competition. Rishabh Pant made 57 and Armaan Jaffer scored 46.
But Mahipal Lomror stood out with a fine all-round display as he followed up his 45 with the bat with 5/47 which bundled out New Zealand for 138 in the 32nd over. Seamer Avesh Kumar, who took three wickets in his first four overs to reduce the Black Caps to 5/3, finished with 4/32 to be later declared player of the match.
“Our first aim to make the quarterfinals has been realised but we cannot afford to relax. We need to top the group, so the match against Nepal will be very important. I am confident because the batsmen are in form and the bowlers too are doing well. It is good that the seamers and spinners have got used to conditions here,” said India captain Ishan Kishan.
Three other Asian sides-Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also advanced to the Super League quarterfinals with their second successive wins.
Brief scores
India 258/8 in 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 74, Rishabh Pant 57, Armaan Jaffer 46; Zak Gibson 3/50) beat New Zealand 138 all out in 31.3 overs (Christian Leopard 40; Mahipal Lormor 5/47, Avesh Khan 4/32) by 120 runs.
