Fancied India meet Pakistan in first semifinal of U-19 World Cup

Four-time champions India will back mselves to reach ir third successive final at U-19 World Cup when y face arch-rivals Pakistan in a last-four clash here on Tuesday. Both teams go into semifinal unbeaten. While India beat Australia in quarterfinals, Pakistan outplayed Afghanistan.

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A high-volt contest

Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir played down hype surrounding game but an India-Pakistan contest is always a high-pressure one that tests character of players on eir side. Doing well in game makes m overnight stars and players kw that.

"It is a high-pressure game and has a lot of buzz in world. We will play it like a rmal game and hope to do well," said Pakistan opener Mohammad Huraira after win over Afghanistan.
 

Like at highest level, India juniors have had upper hand over Pakistan of late, having beaten m in Asia Cup last September when y emerged tournament winners. India, who are defending champions of U-19 World Cup, had inflicted on Pakistan a 203-run hammering in last edition in 2018. However, history counts for little and Priyam Garg-led India will have to play ir best cricket to kck Pakistan out of competition.

lower order woes

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been backbone of India batting, scoring three half-centuries in four games including against Australia.  rest of batsmen have t done much to write home about and if lower-order had t rescued India in quarterfinal, outcome of game could have been different. t to forget match-winning spell from pacer Kartik Tyagi.Atharva Ankolekar and in-form leggie Ravi Bishi shared a 61-run stand for seventh wicket to give ir team a fighting chance. In end, India won rar comfortably.

Facing Pakistan fast bowlers Abbads Afridi,  Mohammad Amir Khan and Tahir Hussain will be a challenge for Indian batsmen. Opener Huraira made an impressive debut in last game, scoring 64 to lead his team to a comprehensive win over Afghanistan after bowlers nicely set up game. 

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