Left-handed batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat following a disciplined show from the bowlers, propelled India into their third successive Under-19 World Cup final. Chasing a moderate target of 172 runs, India sailed home with 10 wickets in hand at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
Batting first, Pakistan suffered early jolts as pacer Sushant Misra and leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi posed tough questions. They were at 36 for two at the end of the powerful before Haider Ali then joined hands with skipper Rohail Nazir to bail the innings. The pair put on a 62-run stand for the third wicket, rebuilding their challenge after the early setbacks.
India skipper Priyam Garg resorted to the part-time spin of Yashasvi Jaiswal who provided a breakthrough in his third delivery sending back Ali for 56 off 77. Since then, it was one-way traffic for India as Misra and Karthik Tyagi ran down the Pakistan batting. Misra ended with three for 28 while Tyagi returned with figures of two for 32 to bowl out Pakistan to 172.
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In pursuit, India made the run chase look easy than it was. Although Pakistan bowlers put some serious questions with the new ball but failed to pick a wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, looked iffy at the start but the openers saw through the testing opening spells. Saxena took the pressure off his partner, and once Jaiswal got his confidence and some runs, there was no looking back from there.
The young batting prodigy from Mumbai remained unbeaten on 105 runs from 113 deliveries including eight boundaries and four sixes while Divyansh Saxena finished unbeaten on 59. The opening pair overhauled the target without being separated, and off the second ball of the 36th over. Social media platforms were on fire as India strolled to finals convincingly.
Twitter Reactions
The other thing about todays semi-final is that I didn’t see, and unfortunately for a talented Pakistan U19 batting unit; there was no easing of pressure from any weak link in India’s’ bowling line-up. Each bowler just seemed to know exactly how to apply/maintain pressure.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!! Showed em how it done!!
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) February 4, 2020
I think we’ve seen something very special today in Yashasvi Jaiswal. First time for me watching him live. A young guy who can pace his innings to the teams needs. He understands batsmanship. First ICCU19CWC . pic.twitter.com/1PacjWbZl2
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020
#futurestar Player of the match #indvpak #worldcup #u19cwc #YashasviJaiswal @ Potchefstroom https://t.co/xSkNoGVUXT
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 4, 2020
So wonderful to see the composure of young Yashaswi Jaiswal and the relentlessness of the bowlers to just not let the opposition get away. A very easy win for India and a 3rd Successive World Cup Final appearance. Best wishes to the boys for the big finals #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/VUyaBR9i6j
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 4, 2020
Ab toh Aadat si hai !#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/HbBjwedqYz
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 4, 2020
What an inspiring story it has been. From selling paani poori to scoring a hundred in a semi final against Pakistan.. He is here to stay. #YashasviJaiswal #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/R5pQRhkCJl
— Sivakumar (@SivakumarJana) February 4, 2020
Brilliant stuff @yashasvi_j! Hitting a 6 on 99 to win the match…what a special moment! https://t.co/hxifcXUpni
— Jake Lush McCrum (@JakeLushMcCrum) February 4, 2020
Pakistan struggling against India even in an Under-19 World Cup match. #IndvsPak pic.twitter.com/foW5ku3LHn
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 4, 2020