India Under-19 Face Pakistan for a Place in the World Cup Semi-finals
This is the big one: India meet Pakistan in Bulawayo for a place in the Under-19 World Cup semi-finals. The Super Sixes clash starts at 07:30 GMT (1:00 pm IST, 12:30 pm PST). Only one of the two teams can advance; India lead the group on points and net run rate going into the game.
What’s at stake?
England have already booked a semi-final spot from the group, so the India–Pakistan game becomes a straight fight for the second berth. India have six points and a far superior net run rate. Pakistan sit on four points and face a narrow path: they must win and swing the net-run-rate math in their favour. The margin required is large. Pakistan’s net run rate sits well below India’s, so they would need a big win to overhaul India; the source supplied working examples to show how big that win would have to be.
How big a win?
Pakistan’s net run rate is much lower than India’s. To illustrate the scale, if Pakistan batted first and posted 300, they would need to win by roughly 85 runs to level the points and overtake India on net run rate. If Pakistan bowl first and hold India to around 200, the chase would need to be completed in roughly the low 30-over range. If a target of 251 were set, Pakistan would need to chase in approximately 33.2 overs to make the semi-finals. Those examples show how precise and demanding the arithmetic is.
Form, players and selection
India come into the game in good form. The team has been consistent through the Super Sixes. Pakistan have had mixed results and will be boosted if their strike bowlers fire. Keep an eye on India’s explosive opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; he has already shown big-hitting form and carries an IPL century to his name. For Pakistan, fast bowler Ali Raza is a clear threat, with a strong wicket tally in the tournament; he has also already made his PSL debut and featured in senior domestic cricket. The source notes that Raza removed both Sooryavanshi and India captain Ayush Mhatre early in the recent Asia Cup final.
Venue and conditions
Bulawayo does not produce many very high scores; only once has a side posted 300 batting first at this venue in the tournament, and India did it against Zimbabwe. The pitch has favored spinners in aggregate: spinners accounted for the most wickets at Bulawayo during the competition. India’s numbers at Bulawayo this tournament are notably better than the field: they have averaged roughly 32.7 runs per wicket and scored about 6.32 runs per over at this ground, compared with the tournament-wide Bulawayo averages of roughly 22.3 runs per wicket and 4.61 runs per over.
Form guide and context
India: W W W W
Pakistan: W W W L
Because the qualification hinges on net run rate, Pakistan may be forced to alter the usual script—attack early, aim for a big total if batting first, or chase with urgency if given a modest target. India’s aim is straightforward: protect their run-rate advantage and avoid giving Pakistan the big win they need.
What to watch live
Sooryavanshi’s intent at the top for India.
Ali Raza’s new-ball strikes for Pakistan.
How both captains handle the powerplay overs, and whether spinners are introduced early at Bulawayo.
Full match details and the official scenarios appear on the tournament pages at ESPNcricinfo.
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