U19 World Cup - India beats Pakistan in a thriller; moves to Semis

How often would a score of 13 and 2 become meaningful or most sought after…… they would if they come in a India Pakistan match.  An India Pakistan match irrespective of where it is happening will have the excitement and Townsville is no exception.  Australia, South Africa have already qualified – the first QF of the day is between New Zealand and West Indies.

Today, in a nail baiting finish- India beat Pakistan in a match which could have gone either way.   Harmeet became a hero with an unbeaten 13 and Sandeep Sharma gave him company with 2.  Chasing a paltry 137,  Indians were off to a disastrous start losing 3 for 8; then came a good partnership between Aparajit and Vijay Zol – Zol went at 74; Aparajith made a 50 and was out at 120; soon it was 124-7;125-8 and 127 for 9 – the last wicket pair was to make 10 runs and somehow Harmeet saw them through. 

If you are wondering what this is all about, this is all about the U19 World Cup One dayer tournament,  now underway at Australia.

The man very much in news Julian Paul Assange, best known as editor and founder of Wikileaks was born here – Townsville, city in the north eastern coast of Australia in the State of Queensland, which is hosting the U19 Cricket World Cup 50 overs tournament.

Earlier Slouth Africa trounced England by 1o3 runs while Australia qualified beating Bangladesh.   Defending 244, South Africa's bowling unit did not let their disciplines slip, even though England had a century partnership for the second wicket From 102 for 1, offspinner Prenelan Subrayen triggered a collapse that brought nine wickets for 39 runs.

This morning in the 3rd QF played at Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.   Sandeep Sharma who was to become the unlikely hero with the bat for that 13 shone with the ball taking 3 for 24.  Pak lost their first two wickets without scoring and though had a partnership for the 3rd trottered to 62-6 and then prospered to 136.  Ravikant Singh also took 3 wickets.   For India B Aparajith made 51 and Vijay Zol made 36.

Now Indians are into Semis.  The other Semis was also a thriller – New Zealand  required 4 runs of the last delivery and won . So India take on New Zealand in the second Semi Final. Baba Aparajith  is the  Man-of-the-Match.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar