U-19 World Cup: India vs Pakistan, semi-final preview

Defending champions India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final of ICC U-19 World Cup 2020 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

India booked their spot in the last four after defeating last edition’s runners-up Australia by 74 runs, while Pakistan thrashed Asian rivals Afghanistan by six wickets.

India’s bowlers took over charge in the last game after the batsman were restricted by the Australians. Bowling will again need to be good against Pakistan.

Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi have been the most consistent performers for India and they would love to perform in a big game against Pakistan.

India-Pakistan rivalry has always been a high-intensity affair and players from both side are well aware of it.

However, Pakistan batsman Mohammad Huraira said ahead of the game that his side will treat this match as “a normal game”.

“The India-Pakistan rivalry has always been there,” said Huraira.

Should India or Pakistan win this game they will have to play either of New Zealand or Bangladesh in the final.

India are the most successful team in tournament’s history, winning it on four occasions. Pakistan won the trophy in 2004 and 2006.

Probable Playing XIs

India Under-19s

Yashasvi Jaswal, Divyaansh Saxena, Tilak Varma, Priyam Garg (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Siddhesh Veer, Atharva Ankolekar, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh.

Pakistan Under-19s

Haider Ali, Muhammad Huraira, Rohail Nazir (C&WK), Fahad Munir, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Tahir Hussain, Aamir Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan.

Match starts at 1:30 PM IST.