Potchefstroom ( Sa): Fourtime champions India will back themselves to reach their third successive final at the U- 19 World Cup when they face arch- rivals Pakistan in a last four clash here today.
Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir played down the hype surrounding the game but an India- Pakistan contest is always a high- pressure one which tests the character of players on either side. u201c It is a high pressure game and has a lot of buzz in the world. We will play it like a normal game and hope to do well,u201d said Pakistan opener Mohammad Huraira after the win over Afghanistan.
India, who are the defending champions of the U- 19 World Cup, had inflicted on Pakistan a 203- run hammering in the last edition in 2018.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the backbone of India batting, scoring three half- centuries in four games including against Australia.
The rest of the batsmen have not done much to write home about and if the lower- order had not rescued India in the quarter- final, the outcome of the game could have been different. Not to forget the match- winning spell from pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Atharva Ankolekar and in- form leggie Ravi Bishnoi shared a 61- run stand for the seventh wicket to give their team a fighting chance.
Facing Pakistan fast bowlers Abbads Afridi, Mohammad Amir Khan and Tahir Hussain will be a challenge for the Indian batsmen.
Opener Huraira made an impressive debut in the last game, scoring 64 to lead his team to a comprehensive win over Afghanistan after bowlers nicely set up the game.
PTI this battle matters Defending champions India look to enter third consecutive final when they take on arch- rivals Pakistan in the under- 19 World Cup semi- final today Pakistan and India players get ready for a training session on the eve of their semi- final match at Potchefstroom yesterday. PICs/ GETT Y IMAGES Live on tv India v Pakistan: Star Sports 1, SS 1 Hindi, 13: 30 Mumbai boy Yashasvi Jaiswal dives to take a catch during practice
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