Image Credit- ICC
With a commanding century from Musheer Khan and a
four-wicket burst from fast bowler Naman Tiwari, India maintained their
flawless start to the Under-19 World Cup. The team defeated Ireland handily in
Bloemfontein.
India amassed 301 for 7 after being asked to bat
first. Musheer and captain Uday Saharan’s third-wicket partnership, which
produced 156 runs, was the mainstay of their innings. After taking his time to
get comfortable, Musheer picked up speed as the innings went on and finished
with a score of 118 off 106 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. While
the India captain amassed 75 runs in Saharan, he had steady company who
typically kept the runs coming in as ones and twos.
Both batsmen would eventually fall off, but India’s
late cameos from Sachin Dhas (21* off 9) and Aravelly Avanish (22 off 13)
helped them push the score above 300. Oliver Riley, who finished with 3 for 55,
was the best bowler for Ireland.
Ireland had little chance of winning as Tiwari rapidly
destroyed their middle and top order, and then Saumy Pandey, a left-arm
spinner, further damaged the team’s hopes. With just three boundaries between
them, six of Ireland’s top eight batsmen fell for single-digit scores, and the
side was soon reeling at 45 for 8, effectively ending the match. Ireland lost
by 201 runs in the end, despite Daniel Forkin being the team’s best scorer at
No. 10 with 27 not out. His late blows just postponed the inevitable. Pandey
finished with 3 for 21, while Tiwari recorded 4 for 53.