Bulawayo: One of cricket’s fiercest rivalries takes centre stage on Sunday as India and Pakistan lock horns in a high-stakes Super Six clash of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo. With three semi-final spots already sealed, the outcome of this much-anticipated encounter will determine the final team to progress to the last four.
The contest carries added significance for India, who will be keen to avenge their heavy 191-run defeat to Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai last December. That loss came after India had earlier beaten their arch-rivals convincingly in the group stage of the same tournament, underlining how unpredictable encounters between the two sides can be.
While young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is expected to attract plenty of attention, India’s hopes will rest on a collective effort, with several players holding the potential to tilt the balance in their favour.
At the top of the order, wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu has been one of India’s most reliable run-scorers, accumulating 183 runs from four matches, including a top score of 80. Alongside him, Suryavanshi has chipped in with 166 runs from four outings. Both batters have registered two half-centuries each, but the Indian camp will be hoping they can convert those promising starts into bigger, match-defining innings.
Another key figure in India’s batting line-up is left-hander Vihaan Malhotra, who has scored 151 runs so far. His confidence will be sky-high after a superb unbeaten 109 against Zimbabwe in the previous match, and India will once again look to him to anchor the innings under pressure.
India’s bowling attack has been equally impressive. Right-arm medium pacer Henil Patel has emerged as a strike bowler, claiming 10 wickets in four matches. He has been well supported by left-arm fast bowler Udhav Mohan, who picked up three wickets against Zimbabwe and has consistently troubled batters with his pace and movement.
Captain Ayush Mhatre has also made a valuable impact with the ball, taking three wickets with his off-spin in the last game. New-ball responsibilities have been shared effectively by right-arm pacer RS Ambrish, who has regularly provided early breakthroughs and will be crucial in containing Pakistan’s aggressive top order.
Pakistan approach the clash with momentum on their side. After stumbling in their opening group match against England, they recovered strongly with victories over Scotland and Zimbabwe. Their confidence was further boosted by a commanding eight-wicket win over New Zealand in their Super Six fixture on January 27.
The standout performer for Pakistan has been opener Sameer Minhas, who played a decisive role in India’s Asia Cup final defeat with a brilliant 172. He has continued his fine form in the World Cup, scoring an unbeaten 74 against Zimbabwe in the group stage and following it up with a composed 76 against New Zealand. Minhas remains Pakistan’s biggest batting threat, and India’s bowlers will be eager to dismiss him early to stem the flow of runs.
In the bowling department, Pakistan have relied heavily on right-arm pacer Ali Raza, who has taken 12 wickets in four matches and has been consistently effective with pace and accuracy. Another fast bowler, Abdul Subhan, has also impressed with 10 wickets to his name, giving Pakistan a potent pace attack that could test India’s young batters.
The winner of Sunday’s clash will claim the final semi-final berth, adding further intensity to an already charged encounter. With pride, revenge, and progression on the line, the India-Pakistan Under-19 showdown promises a gripping contest when play begins at 1 pm IST.