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IND U19 vs PAK U19: In the important match being played at Queens Sports Club, India Under-19 team was all out for 252 runs in 49.5 overs. The start was very difficult for Indian batting—three wickets had fallen for just 47 runs. The top order could not play openly in front of fast swing and accurate line-length, due to which pressure built up quickly.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The intention is right, the result is incomplete

Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi showed a positive approach and scored 30 runs (5 fours, 1 six) in 22 balls. He tried to reduce the pressure with some attractive drives and pull shots, but played a risky shot in the middle of the aggressive rhythm and could not prolong the innings. His cameo indicated that if the strike rotation and shot-selection were balanced, he could turn in big innings – a lesson that will be important for the knockout equations going forward.

Vedant Trivedi’s fighting innings

After a shaky start, Vedant Trivedi held the innings. He gave stability to the scoreboard by scoring 68 runs in 98 balls. Vihaan Malhotra also played an important partnership with him, due to which India could cross 100. However, after being set, wickets kept falling, due to which a big partnership could not be formed.

Kanishk-Khilan’s fast finish

In the last overs, Kanishk Chauhan (35 runs, 29 balls) and Khilan Patel (21 runs, 15 balls) batted aggressively to take the team to a competitive score. The half-century partnership between the two increased the run rate and pushed it beyond 250. 14-year-old star opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (30) and RS Ambareesh (29) also made useful contributions but lacked the consistency to post big scores.

Pakistan’s bowlers performed disciplined. Pressure with the new ball, tight spells in the middle overs and controlled yorkers at the death – his plan was clear in all three phases. Regular flow of wickets kept India from scoring big.

Is 252 enough?

The score is competitive, but wickets will need to be taken early in the powerplay. Spin-control in the mid-overs and accuracy in the death—these three factors will be the key to victory for India.

Playing eleven of both the teams

India U19 (Playing XI): Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambareesh, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.

Pakistan U19 (Playing XI): Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousuf (captain), Huzaifa Ahsan, Ali Hasan Baloch, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Syam, Ali Raza.