In what was supposed to be a tightly fought contest between India and Pakistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal (105 off 113 balls) and Divyansh Saxena (59 off 99 balls) ran riot for the Boys in Blue to cruise to an emphatic 10-wicket victory over their arch nemesis to make it to their seventh U-19 World Cup final.
And while their batting was indeed top-notch, the defending champions were equally brilliant with the ball, where the likes of Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi picked seven wickets between them at an extremely stable economy.
The bowling attacked chocked Pakistan to a paltry 172 in 43.1 overs, with only Haider Ali and Rohail Nazir making their mark with the bat, scored 56 and 62 respectively. Such was the gulf in the class that as many as eight Pakistanis were dismissed in single digits. And when they came to bat, it seemed like they hardly broke a sweat to reach their target. They, in fact, reached their target in a mere 35.2 overs.
"It's a dream come true for me. To be able to do this for my country is a great feeling. To score a hundred against Pakistan in a World Cup semi-final is something I can't put into words," Jaiswal, who hit eight fours and four sixes, said after winning the 'Player of the Match' award.
Having said that, India will square off against the winner of New Zealand vs Bangladesh in the final, which is set to be played on February 9.
Twitter, meanwhile, was flooded with the wishes and this is how the young guns got their appreciation.
The other thing about todays semi-final is that I didn't see, and unfortunately for a talented Pakistan U19 batting unit; there was no easing of pressure from any weak link in India's' bowling line-up. Each bowler just seemed to know exactly how to apply/maintain pressure.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020
I think we’ve seen something very special today in Yashasvi Jaiswal. First time for me watching him live. A young guy who can pace his innings to the teams needs. He understands batsmanship. First ICCU19CWC💯👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. pic.twitter.com/1PacjWbZl2
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 4, 2020
#futurestar Player of the match #indvpak #worldcup #u19cwc #YashasviJaiswal @ Potchefstroom https://t.co/xSkNoGVUXT
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 4, 2020
So wonderful to see the composure of young Yashaswi Jaiswal and the relentlessness of the bowlers to just not let the opposition get away. A very easy win for India and a 3rd Successive World Cup Final appearance. Best wishes to the boys for the big finals #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/VUyaBR9i6j
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 4, 2020
Some serious swag this from Yashasvi Jaiswal. These Under 19 boys are something else. One-sided. #INDU19VSPAKU19
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 4, 2020
India has reached its 7th #U19CWC final! 👏
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 4, 2020
This is India U19's ninth consecutive victory against all opponents - all in 2020.
Their 11th match win in a row in #U19WorldCup
Their fifth victory in a row over Pakistan U19 since Jan 2014!#INDvPAK #PAKvIND#U19WC2020#INDU19vPakU19
From living in a tent and selling paani puri to playing as an opener for India Under 19 and leading the team’s charge into the final of the World Cup, Yashwasvi Jaiswal is turning out to be remarkable story of young talent finding its way to the top in India despite handicaps
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 4, 2020
Yashasvi Jaiswal. Special player. #IndvPak #U19WorldCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 4, 2020
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @cricketworldcup
