India Qualify for Under-19 World Cup Semi-finals as Pakistan Are Knocked Out

India Under-19 sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup with a hard-fought victory over Pakistan Under-19 in the final Super Sixes match, ending their rivals’ campaign and topping their group in the process.

Pakistan, trailing India by two points and a significant margin in net run rate, needed an extraordinary chase of 253 in just 33.3 overs to qualify. While they never fully committed to such a high-risk pursuit on a surface offering variable bounce, the pitch deteriorated as the match wore on, eventually making even a conventional chase difficult.

The result confirmed India as group leaders, setting up a semi-final clash against Afghanistan in Harare. A defeat beyond the 33.3-over mark would have pushed India into a semi-final against Australia in Bulawayo, but their depth and composure under pressure proved decisive.

After Pakistan won the toss and chose to chase, their bowlers made early inroads, reducing India to 47 for 3 and later to 200 for 7. However, they were unable to fully capitalise on those positions. Vedant Trivedi anchored the innings with a patient 68 off 98 balls, before India’s lower order lifted the total beyond Pakistan’s comfort zone. Kanishk Chouhan struck 35 from No. 8, RS Ambrish contributed 29, and Khilan Patel added a brisk 21 off 15 balls to take India to 252.

Pakistan’s indiscipline in the field proved costly. Slow over rates meant they were forced to bowl the final four overs with an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle, allowing India to score 39 runs during that period despite having few wickets in hand.

Pakistan began their chase brightly but struggled for depth beyond their top four batters, a factor that appeared to temper their approach. India, by contrast, deployed a range of spin options that became increasingly effective as the pitch offered more turn through the afternoon.

India’s tactical awareness stood out. Despite early setbacks, they recognised that any total above 200 would severely test Pakistan’s chase. Trivedi and Vihaan Malhotra stabilised the innings after the early collapse, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had earlier attacked the new ball with a quick 30 off 22.

With the ball, India initially focused on control to ensure qualification before seizing the opening when Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf was caught at long-on, leaving Pakistan 151 for 3 in the 29.4th over. What followed was a dramatic collapse, with Pakistan losing eight wickets for 43 runs as the ball turned sharply and India’s spinners tightened their grip.

Chouhan finished with figures of 10-1-30-1, while captain Ayush Mhatre claimed three wickets. Malhotra and Khilan Patel also chipped in, with Khilan picking up three late wickets to cap a fine all-round contribution.

Pakistan will rue a combination of indiscipline with the ball, lapses in the field and indecision with the bat. While they reached a promising position during a 63-run third-wicket stand between Usman Khan and Yousaf, they failed to apply sustained pressure. Once Yousaf fell attempting to clear long-on, India seized control and methodically choked the chase.

The win underlined India’s depth and adaptability, while Pakistan exited the tournament reflecting on missed opportunities in a match that swung decisively in India’s favour when it mattered most.