Asian rivals play out tense match before Pakistan triumph

Lynn McConnell

January 31, 2002

India and Pakistan - it was always going to be one of the special games of the ICC Under-19 World Cup, and so their Super League clash, a two-wicket win to Pakistan, on Lincoln Green proved today.

India had already qualified but were playing a rival in Pakistan who had a chance of a possible semi-finals berth if they could win today, and on a neutral field where the furthest things from their minds were border tensions that pre-occupy their homelands.

Pakistan needed a win with a bonus point to have a genuine chance.

Pakistan got the first part of their equation right. They pressured the talented Indian batting line-up to the point where they were rattled and dismissed for a paltry 181. And it was paltry on a ground with short boundaries but a good batting wicket.

The Indians played some magnificent shots, but they were all parts of cameos, too brief to be of significance in the final outcome.

Skipper Parthiv Patel likes nothing more than the ball coming onto the bat at speed and despatching it around the points of the compass just as quickly. However, his contribution was 18, Deepak Chougule hit 47, Chandan Madan 34 and Gnaneswara Rao 22.

There was an air of it not really mattering as India was assured of a semi-finals berth.

But no-one told the Pakistan attack as they bowled superbly to give their side a chance.

Mohammad Khalil took two for 22 from 9.5 overs, Junaid Zia took two for 30 from eight and Umer Gul two for 38 from nine. There was genuine fire in their approach, and they were generally supported by a supportive field.

For Pakistan in reply there was the need to reach 182 in the space of 40.1 overs. They gave their best, none more than captain Salman Butt, whose rock-like performance should have been the base of a successful launch for the bonus point. As it was he didn't miss by much. Only three runs remained when the magic 40 overs passed.

There were only two wickets in hand at that stage and while nearly three maidens followed before the final runs were scored, Butt emerged unbeaten with 85 scored off 130 balls, including 11 fours.

Butt commented afterwards: "My team's goal was to get the bonus point. I didn't feel we needed to hit the ball out of the park. There was nothing to panic about and I knew that if I was there at the end we would be close.

"I tried to calm things down with the others and kept talking to them. But I can't hold the bat for them."

Butt said he was sorry to his country that he couldn't get the bonus point, however, he was being extra hard on himself. He had done an outstanding job and had given his side every chance for success, but as it turned out it was all in vain as the West Indies gained their win over Sri Lanka and a bonus point to boot.

The Indians, delighted that they prevented Pakistan getting a bonus point, came out of the game with a bit of a fright and a reminder that a much tougher attitude will be needed when the play their semi-final.

Siddharth Trivedi bowled well to have two for 33 from his 10 overs while Abhishek Sharma picked up three for 37 off 9.4 overs to keep the pressure on during the final overs of the game.

There was never a dull moment in the match and while the Indians only showed their batting skills in glimpses, they have the potential to achieve the Pakistan side's wish that they bring the World Cup home to the sub-continent if they play to their best.

© Cricinfo

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