Townsville (Australia): India trounced minnows Papua New Guinea by 107 runs to set up a quarterfinal clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Endeavour Park here on Thursday.
India, after electing to bat first, concluded their innings at 204 in the 46th over with a brilliant five wicket haul by Guinea’s Chad Soper. After losing skipper Unmukt Chand (4) in the second over, Prashant Chopra (58) and Baba Aparajith (14) tried to stabilise the innings.
However, the Indian side kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Maharashtra batsman Vijay Zol (72) playing the anchor’s innings helping India cross 200.
The Indian bowling proved too good for the Papua New Guinea batsmen who were bowled out for a meagre 97 in the 32nd over. Man-of-the-match Ravikant Singh clinched five wickets with an outstanding economy rate of 2.33.
Kamal Passi and Aparajith chipped in with a couple of wickets to wrap up Guinea’s innings quickly.
India finished second in Group C and will face Group B toppers Pakistan for a place in the semifinals to be held Aug 20 at the Tony Ireland Stadium here. (IANS)
