U19 World Cup: India through to final

Down New Zealand to set up clash against Australia.

India continued to flirt with danger, this time prevailing over New Zealand to book a place in the final of the ICC U19 World Cup against Australia.

After a close call against Pakistan in the quarter-final, India beat New Zealand by a narrow nine-run margin at the Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville yesterday.

The bowlers shone again for the Indian side, restricting the opposition to 200 for nine after India had posted 209 on the board. Put into bat, India were off to a reasonable start with openers Prashant Chopra and captain Unmukt Chand putting on 52.

Another 81-run partnership took India to 132 for one but the middle-order failed to carry on the good work. Chopra’s 52 was the highest contribution of the innings.

For New Zealand, Ben Horne took three for 28 and Matthew Quinn claimed two wickets.

In reply, New Zealand were off to a poor start and were reduced to 63 for four before Cam Fletcher steadied the chase. However, a climbing run-rate and the dismissal of Fletcher sealed the result in India’s favour.

Meanwhile, in the 15th place playoff, Zimbabwe beat Namibia by 70 runs. Nepal defeated Papua New Guinea by six wickets in the 13th-place playoff.

Pakistan will play the seventh-place playoff against Bangladesh today.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2012.