Pakistan told to ‘focus’ against India in U19 World Cup semi-final

Arch-rivals to face each other in semi-final on January 30 at Christchurch

KARACHI: India U19 team beat Bangladesh U19 team by 131 runs on Friday to set a semi-final date with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing U19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Earlier, Pakistan downed South Africa by three wickets to enter the semis.

“The Pakistan team is doing really good,” Pakistani all-rounder Saad Nasim said while commenting on the junior team’s performance in the event. “They have made their way into the semi-final and are just one step away from the landmark final. They have the ability to beat India if they continue with the same momentum.”

Pakistan lost only match en route the semi-final against India, while the latter are still unbeaten in the tournament and Nasim believes the Boys in Green need to set their focus straight if they want to break arch-rival’s streak.

“Pakistan have lost only a single match and that was also a close defeat, but their opponents India are one of the strongest teams in the tournament who haven't lost a single match. The Boys in Green will have to keep themselves focused,” he suggested.

When asked about the thoughts running through the players’ mind, Nasim said that at 19 everyone wants to do something for their team and country, but Pakistani cricketers need to learn to control their emotions and channel them properly.

“All players have the passion for the game, it is at its peak at this age, but that's what they will have to keep in control for the game against India,” said Nasim. “The semi-final will be full of aggression and keeping a hold of your temper will be the key to win for both teams. Indian players have been playing well and Pakistan will face difficulty in making them lose their confidence. India are being labelled as the favourites in the tournament, so putting them under pressure would be difficult for Pakistan.”

However, Nasim believes in the philosophy that the heavier they are, the harder they fall.

“Pakistan can also use India’s confidence against them. They just have to go with the right combination of bowlers and batsmen who can support each other. They can win the match if they play according to plan.”

And Nasim concluded by saying that Pakistan must have a plan after watching India play in the tournament. “I am sure they have studied the Indian team and will be going in with a concrete plan to defeat them.”

Meanwhile, in the other semi-final minnows Afghanistan will be facing Australia in a bid to make it to their first-ever final in the U19 World Cup.

Afghanistan knocked New Zealand out of the tournament with a massive 202-run defeat, while Australia defeated England by 31 runs to book their semi-final berth.