India beat Pakistan to reach Under-19 World Cup semi-finals

India’s Under-19 team produced a composed all-round performance to overcome Pakistan in a high-profile Super Six encounter, reinforcing their status as one of the strongest sides in the tournament. Batting first, India posted 252 runs before bowling Pakistan out for 194, a margin that reflected their control in key phases of the match.

The victory was shaped by India’s ability to recover from early setbacks with the bat. After reaching 47 without loss, they lost three wickets in quick succession, allowing Pakistan to briefly seize momentum. Vedant Trivedi then stabilised the innings, batting patiently to score 68 runs from 98 balls and anchoring the middle overs.

India’s total was lifted significantly by contributions lower down the order. Kanishk Chouhan scored a brisk 35 from 29 deliveries, while Khilan Patel added an unbeaten 21 from 15 balls. Their eighth-wicket partnership of 50 runs in just over five overs turned a competitive score into a challenging target.

Earlier in the innings, opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi had provided early impetus with 30 from 22 balls. India captain Ayush Mhatre, however, was dismissed without scoring, continuing a difficult run of form in the competition.

Pakistan entered the chase with clear qualification requirements. Due to net run rate calculations, they needed to reach the target within 33.3 overs to keep their semi-final hopes alive. While their openers began steadily, the tempo never matched the demands of the situation.

At the qualification cut-off point, Pakistan were 167 for four, effectively ending their chances of progressing. They were eventually dismissed for 194 in 46.2 overs, falling well short of both the target and the required run rate.

Usman Khan top-scored for Pakistan with 68, while Hamza Zahoor made 42 and Farhan Yousuf contributed 38. Despite these efforts, the middle order struggled to accelerate, adopting a cautious approach that proved costly as pressure built.

India’s bowlers took full advantage of a surface that increasingly favoured spin. Kanishk Chouhan delivered an economical spell, conceding only 30 runs in his 10 overs and bowling 40 dot balls. His control helped stall Pakistan’s scoring during the crucial middle phase.

Khilan Patel claimed three wickets for 35 runs, while captain Ayush Mhatre also took three wickets, conceding just 21. Together, they tightened the fielding ring and forced errors, triggering a collapse in which Pakistan lost eight wickets for 43 runs.

The turning point came when Pakistan captain Farhan Yousuf was caught attempting an aggressive stroke, after which India’s bowlers intensified their grip on the match. The pitch, offering variable bounce and increasing turn, made stroke-making more difficult as the innings progressed.

India’s tactical decisions also played a role. They managed their resources carefully, ensuring qualification first before pressing for a larger margin. Pakistan, by contrast, appeared caught between chasing qualification targets and securing a conventional win, achieving neither.

With this result, India finished as group leaders in their Super Six pool, earning a semi-final clash against Afghanistan. The other semi-final will be contested between England and Australia.

Context

The Under-19 World Cup has long been a platform for showcasing future international players, and matches between India and Pakistan carry added significance due to their historic rivalry. India’s victory continues their strong recent record at youth level, highlighting the depth of their development system.

For Pakistan, the defeat marks an early exit from a tournament they entered with high expectations. Analysts have pointed to issues with consistency, decision-making and middle-order batting as areas needing attention.

As the tournament moves into the knockout stage, India will be seen as one of the favourites for the title. Their performance against Pakistan, combining resilience with tactical discipline, has reinforced that perception ahead of the semi-finals.