India and Pakistan Seal Semi-final Spots in U19 Asia Cup.
The 2023 U19 Asia Cup is nearing its climax, and two teams have already secured their spots in the semi-finals: India and Pakistan. Both teams displayed dominant performances in their recent matches, showcasing their potential as contenders for the championship title.
India Thrash Nepal by 10 Wickets
India continued their impressive run in the tournament by crushing Nepal by 10 wickets in a one-sided encounter. Nepal’s batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a mere 52 runs in 23.5 overs. Raj Limbani was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming remarkable figures of 7/13, while Aaradhya Shukla chipped in with 2/31.
In response, India chased down the target with ease, reaching the required score in just 6.1 overs without losing a wicket. Arshin Kulkarni starred with an unbeaten 43, while Adarsh Singh remained not out on 13.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Equals Virat Kohli’s Record in T20Is with 2000 Runs.
Pakistan Maintain Winning Streak
Pakistan maintained their clean slate in the tournament, defeating Afghanistan by a comfortable margin of 83 runs. Batting first, Pakistan piled up a score of 303 runs in 48 overs, thanks to solid contributions from their top order. Shamyl Hussain and Shahzaib Khan laid the foundation with a 115-run opening stand, scoring 75 and 79 runs, respectively. Mohammad Riazullah further added to the total with a brisk 73.
Afghanistan’s chase never got going as they were regularly losing wickets. Despite a valiant effort from Numan Shah, who scored 54 runs, they were eventually bowled out for 220 runs in 48.4 overs. Khubaib Khalil, Ubaid Shah, and Tayyab Arif shared six wickets between them to secure the victory for Pakistan.
Group Standings and Semi-final Prospects
With these victories, both India and Pakistan have booked their places in the semi-finals of the U19 Asia Cup. Pakistan finished as table-toppers in Group A with three wins from three matches, while India secured second place in Group B with two wins and a loss.
The semi-final matchups are yet to be determined, but one thing is for sure: both India and Pakistan will be aiming to lift the U19 Asia Cup trophy.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
