Pant posts fastest 50 in youth ODI

India finish group champions as a stunning Nepal take second spot

Opener Rishab Pant recorded the fastest half-century in youth ODI cricket as India secured an emphatic seven-wicket win over high flying Nepal in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital yesterday.
Pant brought up his fifty off just 18 balls, one faster than the previous record in India’s third successive victories in the group phase. The win lifted India as Group-D champions while Nepal who stunned New Zealand and Ireland in their first two matches to appear as the surprise package ended as Group runners-up.
They will play the quarterfinal against hosts Bangladesh or another surprise package Namibia, the two of which locked horns today to determine the champion of Group A. India will play the runners-up of Group A.
Pant however missed the record of breaking the fastest ton at this level after he was dismissed for 78 off 24 which was designed by nine fours and five sixes. His blazing knock helped India overhaul Nepal’s 169 for eight in just 18.1 overs.
The overwhelming victory was in sight when Pant slammed the Nepal bowlers in brutal fashion right from the start. He was aided by captain Ishan Kishan and together they added 124 runs in just 9.1 overs, a partnership that made the chase a cake-walk. Kishan himself hammered 40 ball-52, striking seven fours and three sixes.
Pant attacked from the start, slogging the first ball of the innings to the midwicket boundary, and did not relent. He targeted the arc between deep square leg and long-on with a series of pulls and lofts, paying little heed to whether the delivery demanded caution.
Nepal whose bowlers made outstanding work in the team’s win in the first matches couldn’t come up any definite plan against the ruthless Pant. They rather helped his cause by sending down shorter lengths delivery with no considerable pace. Delighted Pant made merry at will.
When Pant was at his attacking best, Kishan remained quiet initially but once the spinner came on, he used his feet superbly, charging them with utmost ease. Pant began to drive, slap and loft over the off side too as his range expanded against a wilting attack. His strike rate of 325 meant that had he scored 22 more runs in singles Pant would have still broken the record for the fastest U-19 hundred by seven deliveries.
Off-spinner Prem Tamang broke the partnership by dismissing Pant when a 10-wicket win looked imminent. Thereafter India faced hiccup as Tamang nailed Ricky Bhui for seven and Lammichane took out Kishan to leave India 142 for three. Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer sailed the team home without much fuss.
India's  victory was set up by their bowlers, though, who restricted Nepal to 160 in a match shortened to 48 overs a side because of early-morning fog. Opener Sandeep Sunar top scored with 37 but the rest of the top four batsmen were dismissed in single digits. They had also slogged at India's attack but had no success. Seamer Avesh Khan took three for 34, while left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar and offspinner Washington Sundar took two apiece.
In his post-match reaction Pant said he was disappointed to miss-out on a century, admitting that he became nervous as he approached the mark.
Indian captain Kishan was delighted with the comprehensive win and Pant’s spectacular stroke-play.

 

Pant posts fastest 50 in youth ODI

India finish group champions as a stunning Nepal take second spot

Opener Rishab Pant recorded the fastest half-century in youth ODI cricket as India secured an emphatic seven-wicket win over high flying Nepal in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital yesterday. Pant brought up his fifty off just 18 balls, one faster than the previous record in Indias third successive victories in the group phase. The win lifted India as Group-D champions while Nepal who stunned New Zealand and Ireland in their first two matches to appear as the surprise package ended as Group runners-up. They will play the quarterfinal against hosts Bangladesh or another surprise package Namibia, the two of which locked horns today to determine the champion of Group A. India will play the runners-up of Group A. Pant however missed the record of breaking the fastest ton at this level after he was dismissed for 78 off 24 which was designed by nine fours and five sixes. His blazing knock helped India overhaul Nepals 169 for eight in just 18.1 overs. The overwhelming victory was in sight when Pant slammed the Nepal bowlers in brutal fashion right from the start. He was aided by captain Ishan Kishan and together they added 124 runs in just 9.1 overs, a partnership that made the chase a cake-walk. Kishan himself hammered 40 ball-52, striking seven fours and three sixes. Pant attacked from the start, slogging the first ball of the innings to the midwicket boundary, and did not relent. He targeted the arc between deep square leg and long-on with a series of pulls and lofts, paying little heed to whether the delivery demanded caution. Nepal whose bowlers made outstanding work in the teams win in the first matches couldnt come up any definite plan against the ruthless Pant. They rather helped his cause by sending down shorter lengths delivery with no considerable pace. Delighted Pant made merry at will. When Pant was at his attacking best, Kishan remained quiet initially but once the spinner came on, he used his feet superbly, charging them with utmost ease. Pant began to drive, slap and loft over the off side too as his range expanded against a wilting attack. His strike rate of 325 meant that had he scored 22 more runs in singles Pant would have still broken the record for the fastest U-19 hundred by seven deliveries. Off-spinner Prem Tamang broke the partnership by dismissing Pant when a 10-wicket win looked imminent. Thereafter India faced hiccup as Tamang nailed Ricky Bhui for seven and Lammichane took out Kishan to leave India 142 for three. Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer sailed the team home without much fuss. Indias victory was set up by their bowlers, though, who restricted Nepal to 160 in a match shortened to 48 overs a side because of early-morning fog. Opener Sandeep Sunar top scored with 37 but the rest of the top four batsmen were dismissed in single digits. They had also slogged at Indias attack but had no success. Seamer Avesh Khan took three for 34, while left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar and offspinner Washington Sundar took two apiece. In his post-match reaction Pant said he was disappointed to miss-out on a century, admitting that he became nervous as he approached the mark. Indian captain Kishan was delighted with the comprehensive win and Pants spectacular stroke-play.