India defeat Pakistan by 203 runs in semifinal

The two South Asian arch-rivals Pakistan and India are poised to face each other at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday in the Second Semi-Final of Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018.

Ultimately, it was far more than that as Porel took three wickets in his first four overs to reduce Pakistan to 20-3 and when he claimed his fourth at the start of the 12th over, Pakistan crumbled.

Ishan Porel was the wrecker-in-chief as he picked up 4 wickets for 17 runs. Pakistan were bundled out for 69, their lowest total in ICC U19 CWC history. Things didn’t really go our way. The final is against Australia, who is also three-time champions on Saturday. Australia won the title in 1988, 2002 and 2010 while India triumphed in 2000, 2008 and 2012. After winning the toss, Prithvi Shaw-led Indian Under-19 cricket team chose batting. Kalra was dropped twice and survived a run out chance while Shaw was run out after he had survived two. Prithvi Shaw’s opening partner Manjot Kaira scored 47.

India were cruising at 148 for 2 when Desai edged one to the ‘keeper off Arshad Iqbal. Having a special word of praise for Shubman Gill who blasted a century (102 not out), Sidhu said that this gem of an innings especially paved the way for the victory of Indian team. He made 102 from 94 balls. Ishan shredded the Pakistan top-order, reducing them to 28/4 by the 12th over. At times, these are decent runs even in a computer cricket game. This batsman is surely taking long strides in worldwide cricket.

Both had shared a partnership of 89 runs before the skipper was run out for 41. “Splendid display! Good luck for the finals”, Tendulkar tweeted.

Gill had recently been bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for a whopping Rs 1.8 crore.

India will play five Tests in England, starting at Edgbaston on August 1.