U19 ODI World Cup: India to face Pakistan in Super 6 after thrashing New Zealand by 7 wickets
India thrashed New Zealand by 7 wickets in the U19 ODI World Cup at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday, January 24.
New Delhi: India defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in the 24th match of the U19 ODI World Cup at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday, January 24. After being put in to bat first, the Kiwis struggled against the Indian bowlers and were bowled out for 135 runs in a rain-interrupted match. Chasing the target, the Men in Blue comfortably crossed the winning line in 13.3 overs. They qualified for the Super 6 stage of the tournament and will take on Pakistan on February 1.
The match was reduced to 47 overs after the wet outfield delayed the start of the match. India opted to bowl first in the overcast conditions and got off to a great start, reducing New Zealand to 17/3 in eight overs when rain arrived again. RS Ambrish removed Hugo Bogue for 4 runs in the third over, while Henil Patel dismissed Aryan Mann for 5. Ambrish struck again and dismissed skipper Jones for two runs.
The match was reduced to a 37-over game, as the Men in Blue struck twice immediately, reducing the Kiwis to 22/5 in 10 overs. But the conditions got much better for the batters, and the ball got soft.
Jacob Cotter (23) and Jaskaran Sandhu (18) made crucial contributions, but a 53-run partnership between Sanjay and Samson helped New Zealand go past the 100-run mark. Callum Samson remained unbeaten on 37 runs while Selwain Sanjay scored 28. For India, Ambrish picked up 4 wickets while Henil Patel took three.
Sooryavanshi, Mhatre shine with the bat
Chasing the target, the Men in Blue got off to a disappointing start as Mason Clarke dismissed Aaron George for 7 runs in the second over. But in-form Mhatre and Sooryavanshi forged a match-winning 76-run partnership for the second wicket.
Captain Mhatre smashed 53 runs off 27 balls, hitting 6 maximums and two boundaries. Sooryavanshi scored 40 runs off 23 balls with the help of three maximums and two boundaries. After their dismissal, Vedant Trivedi (17*) and Vihaan Malhotra (13*) completed the formalities.