Our U-19 boys would do well against Pakistan: Zaheer

Former India speedster Zaheer Khan is hopeful that talented bunch of India juniors will bring ir A-game to fore against arch-rivals Pakistan in ICC U-19 World Cup semi-final on Tuesday. India have comprehensively beaten Australia by 74 runs in ir quarter-final while Pakistan beat Afghanistan in ar quarter-final. 

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'Well, U-19 kids are doing very well'': Zaheer Khan

"Well, U-19 kids are doing very well. y have been in some tough situations and y have fought back from re, so that goes a long way in a tournament like () World Cup when you are competing against different nations," Zaheer said at a promotional event. "When you are talking about India-Pakistan (matches) that brings out extra edge also to whole competition. So I am sure boys will be geared up for big occasion and y will do well," Zaheer said at National Cricket Club here.

He was speaking after interacting with children, who are playing 'MI Junior 2020', an inter-school cricket tournament, organized by four-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians. He also had words of praise for Yashashvi Jaiswal, who has been giving consistent starts to India-U19 team, which will face Pakistan in semi-final of World Cup on Tuesday.

Zaheer on young Yashasvi Jaiswal

"He (Jaiswal) has been doing well. In domestic ODI competition also he has made that impact. So, I wish him all luck and (he) has got potential and at moment (he is) serving for U19 Indian team. "So team needs that (his services). It is about team coming toger and if he can spark that with a good start, thing like that," said Zaheer about Mumbai-boy Jaiswal.

upcoming Indo-Pak contest also brought back memories for Zaheer, who first played Pakistan in 2003 World Cup, coincidentally held in South Africa."For me, World Cup, both 2003 and 2011, is something which was very special in terms of winning those matches and 2003 was first time I was playing against Pakistan in an international scenario, so that was more memorable for me in terms of understanding how it goes in a match of that magnitude," Zaheer said as he took trip down memory lane.

He also wished India's women's team well, which will take part in T20 World Cup."y have been doing fantastically well. y have been superb with whatever opportunities y are getting, so World is ar opportunity for m to go out re and inspire girls in our country," he said. On program, he said: "It is always good to interact with kids. I feel that grass-root structure is important and MI Junior is an effort in that direction. We started in one city and it is w extending to couple of more cities." 

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(Im Courtesy: @BCCI)