U-19 WC: Jaiswal hits century as India crush Pakistan

With India set for a convincing one-sided victory, the only thing of interest at the moment is Jaiswal getting closer to his century.

India need 12 for victory in 16 overs, with Jaiswal just seven away from his century.

Jaiswal slams off-spinner Qasim over the fielder at mid-on for a four to take his score to 97.

He blasts the next ball through the covers as the fielder in the deep fumbles to concede two runs.

Jaiswal is beaten last ball as he tries to tap it on the off-side and take the single but misses.

Aamir Ali bowls a wide down the leg side to Saxena, who also takes the bye to bring Jaiswal back on strike.

Jaiswal lofts the next ball over midwicket for a six to complete his century in grand style and also take India to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory and into the final of the Under-19 World Cup.

Jaiswal finishes unbeaten on 105 from 113 balls, while Saxena made 59 from 99 balls as India cruise to 176 for no loss in 35.2 overs, to win with 88 balls to spare.

Defending champions India enter the final of the World Cup, where they will take on the winners of the second semi-final between New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Jaiswal looks in a hurry to finish off things. He launches Afridi for a huge six over midwicket and then pulls a short ball over square leg for another six.

A single to Jaiswal before Saxena slaps the fifth ball past point for a four, to get 18 from the over, as India go past 150.

Aamir Ali comes into the attack. Jaiswal tries to paddle the spinner but fails to make connect before he runs the next ball down to thirdman for two as he takes his score into the 90s.

A single each to Jaiswal and Saxena  to get five runs from the over.

Pacer Tahir is back into the attack. He bowls a maiden over to Saxena, who is looking to give Jaiswal every possible opportunity to get to his hundred.

The match is going to script for Jaiswal, who needs eight to complete his century, while India are 15 runs away from victory.

Pacer Afridi comes back into the attack but nothing is working for Pakistan at the moment.

Saxena taps the first ball on the off-side for one and Jaiswal does the same a few balls later for another run as just two runs come from the over.

Munir keeping things tight but what Pakistan need at this moment is a cluster of wickets and not containing the batsmen.

Jaiswal looking to shift gears. He clubs a length ball from Afridi over mid-on for a four followed by two singles before the left-hander fends a short ball awkwardly as it goes fine on the leg side for another boundary, to bring the target under 50.

A short wide delivery as Afridi punches it past point for a couple to get 12 from the over.

Five singles from Munir's fourth over as Saxena takes a single from the last ball to complete his half-century, from 83 balls.

India are cruising to victory as they reach 133 for no loss in 30 overs, needing 40 runs from 20 overs for victory.

Jaiswal drives Qasim to long-off for one and Saxena drives it through the covers for another single.

The former then slaps the last ball through point for two runs as the two openers continue to cruise.

Leg-spinner Fahad Munir comes into the attack. He makes a tidy start as Saxena and Jaiswal take a single each, to get just two runs from the over.

India in no hurry at the moment. Both the openers making sure not throw their wickets away and stay right till the end.

Another three runs off Qasim's seventh over as India coast to 109 for no loss in 25 overs.

Fahad concedes a couple of runs in his second over, the same as in his first over, but he is being easily dealt by the two Indian batsmen.

Off-spinner Qasim drifts on the pads as Jaiswal clips the off-spinner through midwicket for two runs and then takes a single.

Pacer Amir Khan into the attack. He starts with a full delivery which Jaiswal lofts over mid-on for a four and two balls later, he flicks it off his pads for another boundary to complete his half-century, in some style from 66 balls.

Another one on the pads is clipped for two runs by Jaiswal before he keeps strike with a single from the last ball as India bring up their 100, in the 22nd over.

Jaiswal has had enough of the blocking. He decides to target the spinner as he slog sweeps Aamir Ali over midwicket for a six, followed by singles off the next two deliveries.

Aamir Ali then drifts on the pads as Jaiswal clips it through the leg side for two runs to get 10 runs from the over.

Off-spinner Qasim is back into the attack. Saxena clips the first ball for one before Jaiswal drives it down the ground for a single.

A slightly short delivery as Saxena rocks back and punches it through the covers for another run and Jaiswal picks one off the last ball.

Spin from both ends now as Aamir Ali continues. Jaiswal plays three dot balls before he slaps the fourth through the covers for a single. The last ball stays low and takes the bottom edge off Saxena's bat, going through wicketkeeper's legs for a four.

India are 86 for no loss in 20 overs, they need another 87 runs from victory from 30 overs at under three per over.

Saxena gets an edge off Afridi but it falls just short of the fielder stationed at a wide slip.

He gets a thick edge two balls later for a single to thirdman before Jaiswal clips the next ball on the leg side for two runs.

Afridi then bowls a wide before Jaiswal shuffles across his stumps a long way and whips the pacer through midwicket for a couple.

The openers have laid down a good platform to take India to 58 for no loss in 15 overs.

Jaiswal has shown a lot of restraint to score 27 from 45 balls, while Saxena has been solid on 25 from the same number of deliveries.

Left-arm spinner Aamir Ali comes into the attack. Saxena drives the first ball to long-on for a single before Jaiswal gets a long stride across and tries to sweep but misses it and is hit on the stumps. The Pakistan players appeal for leg before wicket which is turned down as the Indians pick a leg bye.

Saxena then flicks Aamir over midwicket for a four using his wrists to good effect to place the ball in the huge gap on the leg side and keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

Afridi trying to tempt Saxena into driving away from his body and get the edge which he did last over.

Saxena plays five dot balls in a row before he picks two runs off the last ball.

Fast bowler Abbas Afridi comes into the attack. Saxena looks to drive the first ball but gets a thick outside edge which flies past the slips for a four.

The pacer then follows it up with a wide trying to tempt the batsman again, who has an easy leave this time around.

Saxena defends the next three balls before he steers the fifth ball down to thirdman for one and Jaiswal blocks the last ball.

Spinner Qasim is back into the attack. He also looks to keep it around the off-stump line to left-hander Saxena, who is unable to get a run off the first four balls before he takes one through the covers.

Saxena having most of the strike. He is beaten by Afridi as he tries to run it down to thirdman before he slaps the fifth ball through the covers for a four.

Jaiswal then takes toll off an overpitched delivery as he drives it straight down the ground for a four past mid-on. He then drills the fifth ball off the front foot through the covers for another four to take India past the 50-run mark, in the 14th over.

The two Indian openers are happy to bide their time and just play out the new ball.

Jaiswal taps the first ball from Tahir to thirdman for one and Saxena punches the next ball square as the fielder puts in the dive to keep it down to one.

The normally-aggressive Jaiswal is content to play to the merit of the bat and not try anything fancy.

In the next over, Saxena breaks the shackles as he drills a wide full delivery from Aamir through the covers for a stylish boundary.

He pushes the last ball into the covers for a single to retain strike as India reach 33 for no loss in 10 overs.

Jaiswal has been watchful, scoring 15 from 34 balls, while Saxena has been solid to score 14 from 26 balls.

Tahir looking to keep things tight as he bowls wide but Jaiswal is being very disciplined as he decides not chase anything away from his body. 

He then clips one on the stumps to fine leg for a single and Saxena then clips the fifth ball off his pads through square leg for two runs.

Aamir then follows it up with a maiden over as Jaiswal plays a few good drives through the off-side but is unable to find the gaps. He is timing the ball really well and if Pakistan don't dismiss him early, then he is likely to run away with the game.

In the next over, Tahir again bowls a bit straight as Saxena clips it off his pads for a couple and then takes one.

He tries the bouncer but Jaiswal is quick to rock back and pull it behind square for two runs.

Aamir Khan bowls a wide well out of reach of Saxena, who plays and misses, before he drives the next into the off-side.

Aamir sticking to a good line just outside the off-stump with a packed field on the off-side. Saxena looks for the cover drive as he tries to drive but is beaten by the away movement.

He blocks the next three balls, looking to play with caution as Aamir concedes just a single, through an extra.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyansh Saxena are the two openers for India, while Tahir Hussain will open the bowling for Pakistan, who will be eyeing a few early wickets.

Left-hander Hussain offers no shot to the first two balls which are bowled wide, before he bowls a wide down the leg side.

Jaiswal then drives the fourth ball through the off-side for two runs to get off the mark followed by another wide and he clips the fifth ball for one, as five comes from the first over.

Off-spinner Qasim Akram to bowl from the other end. Jaiswal whips the second ball through midwicket for a four followed by three singles as seven comes from the second over.

Tahir keeps it in a good channel just outside the off-stump as Jaiswal defends the first two balls and then takes a single to thirdman and Saxena takes one off the next.

Just one over for Qasim before pacer Mohammad Amir is called into the attack.

He starts with a wide to Saxena, before he beats the left-hander next ball with one slanted across him. He then taps the third ball past point for one before Jaiswal is beaten by one which moves away as he plays the inside line and he keeps strike with one from the last ball.

India looking to wrap up this innings as they bring back Tyagi. He starts with a yorker which Tahir defends on the off-side for one.

Aamir Ali has a wild swing but misses before the pacer bowls a wide down the leg side.

A good short ball which Aamir avoids before he digs out the yorker for a single.

Tyagi strikes with the last ball as Tahir top edges the pull shot and is caught by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel for two.

Mishra wraps up the Pakistan innings in the next over as Aamir Ali slices the ball in the air trying to pull it and is caught by Siddhesh Veer on the off-side.

Pakistan are bowled out for a lowly 172 in 43.1 overs in the first semi-final.

Mishra is India's most successful bowler, claiming 3-28, while Tyagi and Bishnoi took two wickets each as India came up with a superb performance with the ball.

Nazir comes down the track and looks to have a swing at Bishnoi but he is unable to reach to the pitch and ends up blocking it back to the bowler.

Nazir defends the next two balls before he is beaten trying to cut it and he then takes a single -- the first run Bishnoi has conceded after 12 dot balls.

Tahir blocks the last ball with caution as Bishnoi concedes just one from his final over to finish with excellent figures of 2-46 in 10 overs.

Left-arm pacer Mishra is back into the attack. Nazir drives the first ball into the covers for a single and Tahir steers the next ball to thirdman for one.

Nazir then perishes as he top edges the pull shot and is caught at square leg.

Captain Nazir walks back after scoring 62 from 102 balls to leave Pakistan in further strife on 169 for eight, in the 42nd over.

Bishnoi comes back into the attack and he strikes with the first ball of his new spell.

Afridi looks to turn the leg-spinner across the spin on the leg side but misses and is trapped plumb in front to be dismissed for two.

New batsman Tahir Hussain survives a close shout for stumping the very next ball. The appeal is referred upstairs but the batsman has managed to drag his feet back in time to survive.

Left-hander Hussain is beaten by the googly as he plays down the wrong line before the spinner bowls a wide.

The last ball again beat the left-hander all ends up and narrowly misses the stumps too.

Tyagi has a huge shout for leg before wicket turned down. He bowls the perfect indipping yorker which hits Nazir on the boots but the umpire suggests it is slipping down the leg side and rules in favour of the batsman.

Tyagi tries for another yorker but this time he bowls a high full toss and the umpire gives him the first warning while Pakistan get a free hit.

Pakistan captain Nazir can't get the free hit delivery away as Tyagi comes up with the yorker which is blocked back to the bowler.

He is beaten next ball as he throws his bat at a wide delivery before he defends the next.

Tyagi then bowls a full toss which Nazir gently taps back to the bowler and he gets one off the last ball.

Pakistan are struggling on 166 for seven in 40 overs, and a lot will depend on their captain Nazir, who has battled hard to score 60 from 94 balls.

Left-arm pacer Akash continues. Nazir guides the first ball to thirdman for one and Irfan Khan drives the third ball through the covers for a single.

Nazir then pulls a short ball but can't beat the fielder at midwicket before he is beaten by a full slower ball and is hit on the pads but the leg before appeal is turned down.

Pakistan captain Nazir keeping his team afloat as he takes a single to complete his half-century and also bring up his team's 150, in the 37th over.

The last ball is short and wide as Nazir cuts it past point for a four as Pakistan look to lift the tempo and increase the scoring rate.

Fast bowler Tyagi is back into the attack. He starts with a full toss which Irfan taps on the leg side and Tyagi gets the yorker right next ball as he beats the right-hander all ends up to bowl him for three.

Another full delivery on the stumps as new batsman Abbas Afridi clips it to fine leg for one and Nazir drives the next through the covers for a single.

Another single to Afridi before Jaiswal is unable to stop the ball cleanly at thirdman and ends up giving away a four.

A single each to Haris and Nazir before the former slog sweeps Bishnoi over midwicket for a six -- the first of the match.

He then takes a single to race to 17 from 10 balls before Nazir drives a half-volley through the covers for two runs as Bishnoi concedes 11 runs in his eighth over.

Akash continues from round the wicket. The two Pakistan batsmen pick five singles from the first five balls before Nazir is surprised by a high full toss which he defends.

Left-arm spinner Ankolekar is back into the attack. He makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Haris courtesy of Divyansh Saxena, who takes a brilliant catch at deep square leg. The youngster rushed to his right before coming up with a brilliant dive and taking the ball inches from the ground.

Pakistan's hopes suffer as Haris was looking to take on the bowlers, scoring 21 from 15 balls.

Pakistan are reduced to 146 for five in 35 overs, and need a strong finish to post a challenging total.

Just when things were looking a bit encouraging for Pakistan, they manage to throw away a wicket courtesy of a run out.

Leg-spinner Bishnoi comes back into the attack as he replaces pacer Sushant.

Qasim taps the third ball into the off-side and looks for a quick single but the fielder is quick to swoop. The two batsmen hesitate as both end up running towards the same end as the wicketkeeper whips off the bails to get another run out.

Qasim is given out for nine as Pakistan slip to 118 for four in the 31st over.

New batsman Mohammad Haris plays a loose shot, trying to cut Bishnoi as he gets a thick outside edge which goes past the slip fielder for a four and then takes a single last ball.

Pacer Akash is back into the attack. A single each to Haris and Nazir before the former clips the third ball through square leg for two runs.

The left-armer from round the wicket tries a short ball which Haris pulls to deep square leg for one.

Pacer Sushant continues as Qasim is beaten first ball as he goes after a wide delivery and then pulls the next for a single through square leg.

Nazir then carves the fourt ball past past point for a four before taking a single and Qasim clips the last ball for two runs through square leg.

Part-time spinner Jaiswal continues as Qasim sweeps the fourth ball for a four as Tyagi is unable to stop the ball a deep square leg.

Another short wide delivery which is cut for a single to deep point as Pakistan reach 118 for three in 30 overs, scoring 18 from the last three overs.

Fast bowler Mishra is back into the attack. The first ball is a beauty as he gets it to move away to beat right-hander Nazir, who was looking to defend.

The next ball is short but down the leg side as Nazir goes for the pull which he misses. The Indians appeal for caught behind but the umpire gives it a wide and the right-hander is beaten next ball, trying to hit it through the off-side.

Nazir then takes one on the off-side before Akram runs the fifth ball to thirdman for one to get off the mark and his partner takes off the last ball to keep strike.

In the next over, Jaiswal drops short as Nazir rocks back and smashes it through the covers for a four but the bowler does well not to concede a run from the rest of the over.

How long before Pakistan decide to take a few risks and unsettle the spinners remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Ankolekar continues to keep things tight from his end as he gives away just four runs from his fifth over.

Part-time spinner Yashasvi Jaiswal comes into the attack and he strikes instantly with the key wicket of Haider. The right-hander looks to cut a short ball but ends up hitting it straight to point to perish for 56.

That is a big blow for Pakistan as it will force them into the rebuilding mode once again.

New batsman Qasim Akram watchfully defends the last three balls to end a superb first over from Jaiswal.

India will be happy with the flow of things at the moment. They are steadily rushing their overs without much of damage as Pakistan's batsmen have been restricted to singles in the last few overs.

Another tidy over from Ankolekar as he gives away just three runs, in his third over.

Bishnoi also keeping things tight with four dot balls in a row to Haider, who then breaks the shackles as he sweeps a leg side fine for a four, to raise the 50-run stand for the third wicket from 78 balls.

Ankolekar has a huge appeal caught behind turned down against Nazir as he gives away just two runs in his fifth over.

In the next over, Haider gets a thick outside edge off Bishnoi for a four to bring up his fifty, from 70 balls.

Bishnoi then gets the ball to turn as Haider is beaten before he takes a single and Nazir is nearly done in by the googly as he tries to play the cut shot.

Left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar comes into the attack, to bowl the 17th over.

Ankolekar into the act right away as he gets the first ball to turn sharply to beat Haider, who watchfully blocks the next two balls, and then takes a single.

Nazir punches the last ball through the covers to collect two runs as Ankolekar concedes just three runs in his opening over.

In the next over, Akash switches to over the wicket and beats Haider, who was looking to run it down to thirdman. He then taps the next ball to point and takes a quick single before Nazir clips the fifth ball through midwicket for two runs and keeps strike with one from the last ball.

The two Pakistan batsmen doing well to keep the scoreboard ticking against Ankolekar. Three singles before Haider is beaten by one which turns sharply before he sweeps the last ball for a four to release some pressure.

Leg-spinner Bishnoi back into the attack. Nazir picks one from the first ball before Haider steers a wide for a four as Jaiswal at point makes a good effort but is unable to get to the ball.

Bishnoi gives it some flight as Haider defends watchfully and clips the last ball for one.

Pakistan have recovered well to reach 77 for two in 20 overs, with Haider on 42 and Nazir on 24.

Akash gives Nazir some width as the right-hander slashes it past point for a four and then plays out the rest of the over as the pacers tightens his line.

In the next over, Haider taps Tyagi on the off-side for one and Nazir steers the next ball past point for two runs wide of the fielder at thirdman but is unable to get a run off the last three balls.

Pakistan are 55 for two in 15 overs at the first drinks break, with Nazir on 15 and Haider on 29.

In the next over, Akash bowls three dots in a row to Nazir, who looks to break the shackles as he gets the top edge which falls just short of mid-on, who rushes in and even attempts the last-minute dive but can't get to the ball.

Nazir finally gets a run as he drives Akash through the covers for one and Haider clips the last ball for a single.

Leg-spinner Bishnoi continues as Nazir defends the first two balls before he drives a wide delivery through the coves for a four to get off the mark.

He then takes a thick inside edge for a single on the leg side and Haider drives the last ball to long-on for one.

Left-arm pcer Akash Singh comes into the attack as he replaces Sushant, who bowled a good first spell of 1-14 in five overs.

Haider steers the first ball past point for one and Nazir offers no shot to the next delivery.

Nazir gets a thick outside edge as he tries to hit Akash through the off-side and ends up getting two runs in the process.

Spinner Bishnoi taken off after taking 1-13 in three overs in his first spell.

Pacer Tyagi is back into the attack. Haider picks a single off the first ball before Nazir plays watchfully and is beaten by one which moves away and he gets a single off the last ball.

The move to bring spinner Bishnoi early into the attack has worked for India. After being unable to score a run off 15 balls faced, Fahad looks to slice Bishnoi over the top but ends up lobbing a simple catch to the fielder in the covers to perish for a 16-ball duck.

He nearly accounts for another wicket in the over.

New batsman Rohail Nazir is beaten all ends up by the googly and is lucky that it was directed at the stumps.

Mishra bowls a short ball to Haider, who is happy to duck under it, and then defends the next two balls on the off-side.

Another short ball from Mishra from round the wicket as Haider again lets it go through before the pacer bowls a leg side trying another bouncer.

Haider then plays a rash shot trying to loft a full delivery down the ground but is beaten by a bit movement after angling in with the arm.

A good start with the ball for India as Pakistan are reduced to 36 for two in 10 overs, with Haider on 25 from 37 balls.

India's pacers guilty of bowling too many extras as Mishra bowls a wide outside the off-stump before he goes for the yorker which Fahad defends watchfully.

A short wide delivery which Fahad slashes off the backfoot but can't beat point as he goes 10 balls without getting off the mark.

The last ball is a yorker as Fahad defends it back to Mishra, who bowls a good tight over, conceding just one run through a wide.

Spin introduced early as leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi comes into the attack, to bowl the seventh over.

His googly is highly spoken of and he beats Haider Ali with another good delivery as the ball turns in sharply and hits the pads but the impact is well outside the line.

After three dot balls in a row, Haider shows some good intent as he lofts Bishnoi over mid-on for a four to put the pressure back on the spinner.

He drives the last ball to long-off for a single to keep strike.

In the next over, Haider drives the first ball to mid-off before he ducks under a short ball and then takes a single to take his score to 24.

The slower delivery from Mishra which ends into a full toss as Fahad gently taps it to point as he is yet to get off the mark, after facing 14 balls.

Another superb yorker from Tyagi as left-hander Fahad Munir fails to get his bat in down as the ball strikes low on the pads but the huge shout for leg before wicket is turned.

The umpire suggest that there was some bottom edge before the ball hits the pads.

Tyagi then bowls a wide overpitched delivery to Ali, who offers no shot before he taps the fourth ball on the off-side and steals a quick single.

Fahad shuffles across the line and tries to flick Tyagi through the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads and once again the umpire turns down the LBW shout.

Tyagi sends down another yorker which is wide as Fahad is beaten yet again.

In the next over, Mishra tries a short ball to Ali which goes down the leg side. The second ball is pitched up as Ali gets a stride forward and drives it through the covers for a four.

An angry Mishra responds with a quick bouncer as Ali is hit on the left-shoulder as he tries to duck under it.

The next ball is again as Ali is quick to duck under it but he leaves the bat hanging as the ball strikes the bottom half and goes towards thirdman but short of the fielder for a single before Fahad is beaten last ball as he pokes away from his body without any footwork.

Meanwhile, Tyagi continues to torment the batsmen with his quick yorkers. The incoming yorker clocked at 141kmph nearly scalps Ali, who does well to keep it out before he is beaten next ball by the short of good length delivery which moves away enough to go past the edge.

A short ball down the leg side which is ruled a wide before Ali smashes a short wide delivery through the covers for a four.

Tyagi goes for the yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss which Ali drives to mid-off but then gets the next ball in the gap, past the same fielder for another four.

Fast bowler Kartik Tyagi to open the bowling for India, while Haider Ali and Mohammad Huraira are the two openers for Pakistan.

The first two balls are wide outside the off-stump as Ali is happy to leave it alone.

The pacer then bowls a cracking yorker, which swings in sharply, and Ali does well to get some bat on it as he gets a thick inside edge a four fine on the leg side to get Pakistan off the mark.

The next ball is the outswinger as Ali covers the stumps and lets it go and drives the next into the covers for another dot ball and leaves the last ball to end a good first over.

Left-arm pacer Sushant Mishra to bowl from the other end. The first ball is on the pads as Hurraira clips it through midwicket for a four to get off the mark in some style.

The next ball is a full toss which Hurraira drives to mid-off and then nearly drags the third ball back on to the stumps.

He defends the next two balls before Hurraira looks to pull a short ball down the leg side but misses and Indians go up in appeal for catch down the leg side.

The umpire not only turns down the appeal but also calls it a wide.

But Mishra gets his man next ball as Hurraira miscues it high on the leg side and is caught at square leg for four.

Pakistan captain Rohail Nazir has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the high-pressure semi-final match at the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

Both the teams are going in unchanged for the big match.

Any India vs Pakistan game, be it any sport, at any level, always generates a lot of hype and it is no different this time around.

Pakistan will be looking to get off to a good start and post a big total to put pressure on India in the run chase.

On the other hand, India will be looking for a few early wickets and bundle out Pakistan for a moderate total.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:

India: Priyam Garg (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyaansh Saxena, Tilak Verma, Dhruv Jurel (w/k), Siddhesh Veer, Atharva Ankolekar, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh.

Pakistan: Rohail Nazir (captain, w/k), Haider Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Fahad Munir, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Tahir Hussain, Amir Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan.

Welcome to the coverage of the ICC Under-19 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan, in Potchefstroom, on Tuesday.

Four-time champions India, who are on a 10-game winning streak, will back themselves to reach their third successive final at the U-19 World Cup when they face arch-rivals Pakistan.

Both teams go into the last four clash unbeaten. While India beat Australia in the quarter-finals, Pakistan outplayed Afghanistan.

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.

Like at the highest level, the India juniors have had the upper hand over Pakistan of late, having beaten them in the Asia Cup last September when they emerged tournament winners.

India, who are the defending champions of the Under-19 World Cup, had inflicted a 203-run hammering on Pakistan in the last edition in 2018.

However, history counts for little and the Priyam Garg-led India will have to play their best cricket to knock Pakistan out of the competition.

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. In the end, India won rather comfortably.

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.