U-19 World Cup: Pant’s record fifty blows Nepal Away

Group D

India’s U-19 player Rishabh Pant smashed the fastest U-19 fifty as India thrashed Nepal by seven wickets. The talented opener was on fire right from the start and took every bowler to the cleaners, reaching his fifty off just 18 balls. He was ably supported by captain Ishan Kishan (52 off 40) who went relentless as soon as he had his eyes set.

Nepali bowlers bowled quite a few length deliveries and both the Indian batsmen feasted upon it happily. Pant started by hitting the first ball of the match through midwicket boundary, after which he targeted the area between long-on and square leg, with a flurry of pull shots. The record for fastest hundred was well in sight, before Pant holded out for 78 off 24 balls. India eventually chased down Nepal’s target of 169 with ease.

Earlier on Avesh Khan took 3 for 34 before spinners came into play and helped restrict Nepal to a modest total.

New Zealand Under-19s managed a consolation in win against Ireland U-19s in their last group encounter. Finn Allen and Dale Phillips put together a 141-run partnership and steered New Zealand home.

Phillips (58 off 66) and Finn (97 off 76) laid the foundation before Rachin Ravindra and Nathan Smith saw them home with 47 balls remaining.

Group B

Afghanistan Under-19s registered their first win of the tournament in a low scoring match against Canada U-19s. Tariq Stanikzai (58 off 46) helped Afghanistan chase the target of 148 in just 24.1 overs. This win served as a consolation win for the Afghan boys.

Having chosen to bat first Canada slipped to 31 for 4  before captain Abraash Khan (33) and Arslan Khan (38) put on a consequential partnership of 62 runs for the fifth wicket. Wickets fell in cluster after that with medium-pacer Muslim Musa and off spinner Shamsur Rahman picking three wickets apiece.