Under-19 World Cup: India Thrash Bangladesh By 131 Runs To Set Up Semis Clash With Pakistan
Under-19 World Cup: India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinals on January 30
- Posted by Abhishek Mahajan
- Updated: January 26, 2018 11:34 AM IST
Highlights
- India beat Bangladesh by 131 runs
- Bangladesh were bundled out for 134 in reply to India's 265
- India will face Pakistan in the semi-final clash on January 30
Riding on Shubhman Gill's gritty 86 and Abhishek Sharma's all-round performance, India on Friday thrashed Bangladesh by 131 runs in the quarterfinal of the ICC Under-19 World Cupheld at Queenstown. With this win, India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final of the tournament on January 30. Opting to bat, India lost opener Manjot Gill early, but captain Shaw and in-form batsman Shubhman Gill stitched together an 86-run partnership for the second wicket to give their team a solid platform. Harvik Desai (34) and Abhishek Sharma (50) also played cameos and contributed to India's total of 265 in 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 134 in 42.1 overs. Kamlesh Nagarkoti was the pick of the bowlers for India who took 3/18 in his 7.1 overs.
Earlier, three-time champions India thumped Australia, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe to top Group B. While India will face Pakistan in the semi-finals, Afgjanistan will lock horns with Australia for the final spot.
"The boys really executed the plans well as we have practised in the net session. Really looking forward to the contest against Pakistan," skipper Shaw said after the match.
Abhishek Sharma, who missed out on the Man of the match award to his Punjab teammate Shubhman Gill (86 off 94 balls), was undoubtedly the star performer with his brilliant all-round show.
He first scored a quick 50 (off 49 balls) and then took a couple of wickets (2/11) along with two catches.
Such was India's domination that despite a lower-order batting collapse, their  bowlers scythed through Bangladesh middle-order with speedsters Kamlesh Nagarkoti (3/18 in 7.1 overs) and Shivam Mavi (2/27 in 8 overs) once again working up brisk pace.
Save opener Pinak Ghosh (43), none of the other Bangladeshi batsmen could cross the 20-run mark in what turned out to be a virtually one-sided contest.
Nagarkoti, who is expected to be sought after uncapped pick at the IPL auctions, once again regularly hit the 140 kmph mark beating the batsmen for sheer pace.
Some of the Bangladesh's lower-order batsmen looked mortally scared as they were seen retreating towards the leg-stump trying to avoid getting hurt.
The Indian spinners -- left-arm trio of Shiva Singh (0/29 in 7 overs), Anukul Roy (1/14 in 5 overs) and Abhishek (2/11 in 5 overs) kept it really tight as the Bangladesh batsmen found it even difficult rotate the strike with singles and doubles.
Even Ishan Porel (0/8 in 5 overs) coming back after recuperating from ankle injury was fast and accurate during his only spell of the match.
While Rahul Dravid's boys will gear up for their semi-final against Pakistan, the only worrying factor will be lack of the contribution from the lower-order, who were exposed for the first time.
From a comfortable 215 for 4, India lost six wickets for 50 runs on a pitch that was slowish in nature with strokeplay being difficult.
Dravid will have to look into this issue as Pakistan are expected to be a far more accomplished team with better quality bowling attack during the semi-final scheduled on January 30.
However there was no stopping Shubhman, who hit nine boundaries in his 94 ball knock.
Someone who loves taking the aerial route, Shubhman was seen hitting a lot of balls down the ground as he shared 86-run second wicket stand with  Shaw (40, 54 balls) and 74 for the third wicket with glovesman Desai (34).
"Rahul sir (Dravid) had told me to play along the ground more and I tried doing that," Gill said with a sheepish grin as Dravid standing among the players had a hearty laugh showing thumbs up to Gill.
"We had initially thought that we could get upto 280 to 300 but the wicket was on the slower side," said Gill.
Once Gill was gone, the cheeky Abhishek kept the scoreboard ticking despite losing out on partners as he hit six boundaries. It was courtesy Abhishek that India got-past the 200-run mark.
"He is a brilliant all-rounder and he contributed really well today," skipper Shaw said.
(With PTI inputs)