Dubai: Over the past few years, India against Pakistan clashes at the under-19 level have been thrilling contests, decided by virtue of a few runs or a sole wicket. At the two previous Under-19 World Cups in 2010 and 2012, both teams have managed to knock out the other team from the tournament.
<img title="Vijay Zol" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2014/feb/Vijay-Zol1502.jpg" alt="" /> India under-19 skipper Vijay Zol. Pic/Getty Images.
This time around the teams are in the same group and despite today&rsquo;s India vs Pakistan game not being a knockout one, the winner will hold a huge psychological advantage and is likely to be guaranteed a top spot in the group.
India&rsquo;s patchy form India, the reigning champions, beat Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup last month. But leading into the World Cup, India&rsquo;s form has been patchy. The Indians have lost both their warm-up matches (Sri Lanka and South Africa) quite convincingly while Pakistan brushed aside Australia in the lead-up to their campaign.
Mumbai&rsquo;s Sarfaraz Khan, who is playing in his first World Cup, will look to make an impression after his unbeaten half-century in the warm-up game against South Africa on Wednesday when India lost by five wickets.
A lot will depend on skipper Vijay Zol and Sanju Samson, the two pioneers of the current under-19 team for India to put up a huge score. It is this pair that scored hundreds in the Asia Cup final and ensured India posted a total of 300 plus. With the Indian top order struggling in the warm-up matches, it&rsquo;s an opportunity for Pakistan to put the Indians under pressure.
Opening stand Ankush Bains and Akhil Herwadkar will be required to lay a strong foundation at the start. They have been guilty in the past few matches of not converting starts and the first match is a perfect opportunity to showcase their skills yet again.
Pakistan on the other hand will look to make early inroads in the Indian batting, and hope India&rsquo;s fast bowlers will have trouble living up to expectations. Either way, this game is likely to be another mouth-watering contest. A simple missed opportunity could decide the fate of the contest. At least history suggests so.
Live on TV: India vs Pak on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD 2, 10:45

As history suggests India-Pakistan U-19 games have been close encounters, their World Cup opener today in Dubai could be a humdinger

U-19 World Cup: Another Indo-Pak thriller in store today

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U-19 World Cup: Another Indo-Pak thriller in store today

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