Musheer Khan’s second hundred in this ICC U-19 World Cup powered India to a huge total of 295/8 on Tuesday as the colts trampled New Zealand by 214 runs in their Super Six encounter.
Top performer Musheer’s 131 was backed by opener Adarsh Singh’s 52 before left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey (4/19) and pacer Raj Limbani (2/17) ripped apart New Zealand’s top order to bowl them out for a mere 81 in 28.1 overs in Bloemfontein.
Limbani struck on the first and the fifth ball of the New Zealand innings to ensure momentum was in India’s way.
Left reeling at 27/4 in the Powerplay, New Zealand could never really stage a comeback as the India U-19 team look to be favourites to win the tournament.
India have five titles in the tournament, including the last two editions in 2018 and 2022.
For New Zealand, Tuesday’s 81 was their third-heaviest defeat in terms of runs and also their third-lowest total at the U-19 World Cup stage.
Musheer, brother of Sarfaraz Khan, earlier in the day flayed the New Zealand attack with his second century of the tournament. On a perfect batting wicket at the Mangaung Oval, he tore apart the Kiwis’ bowling line-up to become the first batter in the current competition to breach the 300-run mark, going past Pakistan’s Shahzaib Khan.
En route to his 131 off 126 balls, Man of the Match Musheer blasted 13 fours and three sixes.
Busy at the crease constantly, the 18-year-old motored on from one end unleashing strokes in all directions, while he began with an upper-cut for a four. Along with Adarsh, he carried out a fine recovery job with a 77-run stand for the second wicket after an early blow to India.
Adarsh took charge of attacking the bowlers as he looked good while driving on the rise and also played the pull shot well.
It was only unfortunate that he failed to keep a drive in check when Zac Cumming (1/37) teased him with one outside off.
There also was some disappointment in store for India captain Uday Saharan who failed to convert his start and was dismissed for 35. He, nevertheless, did a fine job of consolidating the innings, putting on 87 with Musheer which also happened to be the best stand for India in this game.
Brief scores: India U-19 295/8 in 50 overs (Musheer Khan 131, Adarsh Singh 52, Uday Saharan 35; Mason Clarke 4/64) NZ U-19 81 in 28.1 overs (Oscar Jackson 19; Raj Limbani 2/17, Saumy Pandey 4/19). India won by 214 runs.
