Christchurch: After bagging lucrative deals at the IPL auction, members of the unbeaten Indian team will be eager to deliver when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in the second semifinal of the ICC U-19 World Cup here, Tuesday.
Three-time champions India have played like a thorough professional outfit, winning all four matches in emphatic fashion including the quarterfinal against Bangladesh.
For two-time winners Pakistan, it has not been smooth sailing all the way. They lost their tournament opener to Afghanistan before winning three in a row. However, Pakistan’s bowling, led by left-arm pace sensation Shaheen Afridi, has done most of the job for the team but batting has been far from convincing besides Ali Zaryab Asif doing the bulk of the scoring in the middle order.
On the other hand, Indian pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi would look to exploit the weakness in the opposition camp. The young Indian guns would also be high on confidence, having secured potentially life-changing deals at the IPL auction with their performances in the ongoing tournament. Left-arm spinners Anukul Roy and Abhishek Sharma, who were lapped up by Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils respectively in the auction will also try their best to impress.
Batting mainstays, captain Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, too impressed the IPL teams with their showing in New Zealand. Shaw’s opening partner Manjot Kalra too managed a deal with Delhi Daredevils. However, all these players will have put the post auction euphoria behind and focus on the job at hand.
As rightly put by coach Rahul Dravid, “auction will come every year but not the opportunity to play in a World Cup.”
After all a place in a World Cup final is at stake for the Indian team.
Australia enter final
Christchurch: Australia entered into the ICC U-19 World Cup final by halting Afghanistan’s dream run with a six-wicket victory, built around Jack Edward’s half-century after a splendid bowling show, here Monday. Electing to bat, the strife-torn nation, put on board a modest 181 with Ikram Ali Khil (80) emerging as the highest scorer. Australia had no trouble in knocking off the required runs with opener Jack Edwards (72) leading the run chase.
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