BULAWAYO: Vedant Trivedi’s gutsy half-century helped India set a competitive total against Pakistan in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup clash at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
India U19 posted a 253-run target, which Pakistan must chase within 33.3 overs to qualify for the semi-finals, although the chase can stretch to 34.3 overs if they finish with a six to reach 258.
After being sent in to bat by Green Shirts, India got off to a strong start, with openers stitching together a 47-run partnership, but Pakistan staged a stunning comeback, taking three back-to-back wickets without conceding a run.
Mohammad Sayyam removed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on 30 before removing captain Ayush Mhatre on duck one delivery later in the eighth over.
In the following over, Abdul Subhan struck on his very first ball, getting rid of Aaron George for 16 with the score still on 47.
India’s fourth wicket was gone on 109 runs in the 24th over, and the fight was on in the 33rd over on 147.
Vedant Trivedi made a major contribution of 68 on 98 balls before Momin Qamar sent him back on a full toss on a total of 182 in the 41st over.
RS Ambrish (29) also departed on 200, as Ali Raza picked up his first of the match on the last ball of the 44th.
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Kanishk Chouhan (35) and Khilan Patel (21) put up a crucial 50-run partnership for the eighth wicket, but Subhan struck twice in the 50th over, and Deepesh Devendran was run out to end India’s innings.
Abdul Subhan was the pick of the bowlers, registering figures of 3/33 in 9.5 overs, getting the support from Sayyam as well, who contributed with two wickets, while Ali Raza, Momin Qamar, Ahmed Hussain, and Ali Hassan Baloch chipped in with one wicket apiece.
India, second in Super Sixes Group 2, are not yet confirmed as semi-finalists and must win their match against Pakistan to seal the deal.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, third in Group 2, needs a strong win in terms of margin to qualify for the semi-finals.
Overall, the arch rivals have played 29 times, with India ahead 16-12, and one match ending in a draw.
The last time both teams were up against each other was in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 final, where the Green Shirts lifted the trophy.
Pakistan vs India playing XIs:
India: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambrish, Khilan Patel, Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.
Pakistan: Hamza Zahoor (wk), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Farhan Yousaf (c), Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, and Ali Raza.
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