ICC Under-19 World Cup: Semi-final, India v Pakistan, Preview- Arch-rivals clash for a berth in Final

The rivalry between India and Pakistan, especially on the cricket field has been going on for ages. The arch-rivals have been involved in some riveting encounters over the past few years and their rivalry has escalated over the years. The age-old antagonists will now be locking horns at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch in the semi-final of the Youth World Cup in New Zealand.

India has had an unbeaten run thus far in the tournament, having won four games on the trot. They decimated Australia, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe to finish on top of the ladder in the group stages. They carried forward their rich vein of form to the quarter-final against Bangladesh and entered the semis against neighbors Pakistan.

Pakistan started their campaign with a shock-defeat against Afghanistan. However, they resurrected their abysmal start with a couple of wins against Ireland and Sri Lanka. Subsequently, they finished on top of the table based on a superior net run-rate than Afghanistan. Thereafter, they brushed aside South Africa in a closely-fought match against South Africa and now find themselves on the top four.

Playing Combination

India

The Indians have been brilliant in all departments thus far in the tournament. Their batsmen have clicked while the bowlers have managed to choke oppositions through pace and immaculate line and lengths. The fielders have also sparked flashes of brilliance in the outfield. Going into the semis, India won’t wish to tinker with their winning combination and is most likely to retain their eleven from their erstwhile game.

Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill and Manjot Kalra have been exemplary with the willow at the top of the order. Abhishek Sharma has provided the finishing touches pretty efficiently. In the bowling department, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have spewed venom and rattled oppositions. Anukul Roy has also been frugal with his left-arm spin. India will also be boosted by Ishan Porel’s return.

Predicted XI

Prithvi Shaw (capt), Manjot Kalra, Shubman Gill, Harvik Desai (wkt), Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Shiva Singh, Ishan Porel

Pakistan

Pakistan have also performed well in the tournament with three consecutive wins under their belt. Their batting has faltered at stages, but their bowlers have been on top of their game and notched wickets at crunch moments of the game. They are most likely to field the playing XI from their South Africa game. Rohail Nazar and Muhammad Zaid Alam are the likely openers, followed by the in-form Ali Zaryab Asif.

Left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi and skipper Hasan Khan are Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 and seven wickets respectively. The duo needs to replicate the same form against India in order for Pakistan to progress to the Final. Muhammad Musa went wicket-less in the league stages, however, he picked three wickets and garnered rhythm back into his bowling.

Predicted XI

Muhammad Zaid Alam, Rohail Nazar (wkt), Ammad Alam, Ali Zaryab Asif, Hasan Khan (capt), Mohammad Taha, Saad Khan, Muhammad Musa, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Suleman Shafqat, Arshad Iqbal

Head to Head Record

Overall

Played- 21, India- 12, Pakistan- 8, Tied/No-result- 1

World Cups

Played 8, India- 3, Pakistan- 5, Tied/No-result- 0

Focus will be on

India- Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has effortlessly been India’s most consistent performer with the willow in the tournament. With 239 runs in four games at a staggering average of 119.50, he has been exemplary for India in the middle-order. Pakistan have a decent bowling attack and they have to get rid of Gill as early as possible to restrict India from racking a daunting total on the board.

Pakistan- Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been Pakistan’s gun-bowler in the ongoing tournament. In four games, the Khyber Agency-born cricketer has notched 11 wickets. He has also given nothing away to the oppositions and has a frugal economy of 2.90. Afridi needs to bring forth his A-game in order to challenge the might of the Indian batsmen.

Broadcast details

TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD

Online: Hotstar

Start time: 3 AM IST

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