Kamal Ghorui
Young all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan delivered a standout performance as India outplayed arch-rivals Pakistan by 58 runs in a Super Six match to secure a place in the ICC U-19 World Cup semifinals. India will now face Afghanistan in the last four, while England and Australia contest the other semifinal.Batting first, India posted a competitive 252 in 49.5 overs, thanks largely to a crucial late surge.
After a steady but slow build, Kanishk’s brisk 35 off 29 balls and an eighth-wicket partnership of 50 runs in just 5.1 overs with Khilan Patel (21 not out off 15) lifted India to a strong total. Earlier, Vedant Trivedi anchored the innings with a patient 68 off 98 balls after India suffered a mini-collapse from 47 without loss to 47 for three. Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided an attacking start with 30 off 22 balls, but skipper Ayush Mhatre fell for a first-ball duck, continuing his poor run in youth ODIs.Pakistan, needing to chase the target within 33.3 overs to qualify on net run rate, began steadily but showed little urgency. They reached 167 for 4 at the cut-off point, effectively ending their semifinal hopes, and were eventually bowled out for 194 in 46.2 overs. Hamza Zahoor (42), Usman Khan (68) and Farhan Yousuf (38) offered resistance, but the defensive approach of the middle order proved costly.On a pitch aiding spin, India’s bowlers dominated. Kanishk was exceptional, conceding just 30 runs in his 10 overs while delivering 40 dot balls. Khilan Patel (3/35) and captain Ayush Mhatre (3/21) applied relentless pressure through the middle overs, choking Pakistan’s scoring and triggering a collapse.India’s all-round effort sealed a comprehensive victory and underlined their strong momentum heading into the semifinals.
