India plunder Namibia to reach semis
Sports Reporter
Powered by the fearsome batting, a ruthless India crushed Namibia by 197 runs to seal a semi-final spot in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup yesterday.
India made the game a huge mismatch as Namibia were expected to give them some fight after they appeared as surprise package by beating defending champions South Africa. But they were simply left in clueless state by the Indian might.
Rishabh Pant who recorded the tournaments fastest half-century in the previous match came up with his ruthless best yet again. On a day when he was bought for INR 1.90 crore to Delhi Daredevils in IPL auction, Pant hammered a 96 ball-111 as India compiled a staggering 349 for six in 50 overs in the second quarter-final at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. The fate of the match indeed was decided after the innings of India. There was countdown just to what margin the African nation would loss the match.
Three-time champions India, coached by batting great Rahul Dravid, will take on the winner of Sundays quarter-final between strong contenders England and Sri Lanka in the first semi-final in Mirpur on 9 February.
The second semi-final between host Bangladesh and the winner between Pakistan and the West Indies on Monday will be played in Mirpur on February 11.
Dravid said his team had started to play almost perfect cricket. I think we have played some good cricket right through the tournament. At some stages, I still feel we have not played a perfect game, but this was our best all-round performance.
We had a few hiccups earlier on in the batting but it is nice to see that we have recovered and we are playing well. Were playing good cricket, focusing on the processes and not worrying too much about the results and things are going well.
Dravid said he had reminded his boys not to be over-confident or complacent. When you come into knock-out stage, you cant take any team for granted. Namibia put in some very good performances to get here. Before the game started, we spoke about the dangers of being complacent and we wanted to get a win.
The focus was to win and not about anything else. I am glad that we were able to put on a commanding performance and qualify for the semi-finals.
Namibia were however deceived by Mayank Dagars left-arm spin and Anmolpreet Singhs off-spin and finally were bowled out for 152 in 39 overs. Both of the spinners picked up three wickets apiece to complement their batsmens outstanding work who came hard on Namibia bowlers right from the words go.
Even the cheap dismissal of skipper Ishan Kishan (6) hardly bothered India batsmen who led by Pant made the carnage in emphatic style. Anmolpreet Singh gave Pant an adequate support in demolishing the Namibian bowlers who didnt help their cause by sending down hittable deliveries.
After adding 103 runs to the second wicket stand, Anmolpreet was dismissed by Davin with 42 runs to his name but there was no respite for Namibia. Sarfaraz Khan joined Pant to pile the host of miseries on the hapless Namibia. Pant by this time reached his century but couldnt make it longer. His 111 runs knock was studded by 14 fours and two sixes. By the time when Pant was removed, the scoreboard was healthy enough with 183 for three.
Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer further treated Namibian bowlers with utmost disdain to keep in the side on course of a big total. Sarfaraz struck run-a-ball 76 with six fours and one six while Jaffer made 64 off 55, sending the ball five times across the rope and one over the fence.
Fast bowler Fritz Coetzee got rid of both of them in the space of four overs as the total went past 300. Standing on a good platform, Mahipal Lomror then blasted an unbeaten 41 off 21, hitting one four and three sixes to set Namibia a target of 350.
They needed to create a history should they want to make the dream run longer. But the bowling line up India got wasnt willing to leave an inch. Like the batsmen, they also came up with their best in a benign surface to extend the agony of the Namibia.
Opener Niko Davin was the highest scorer for Namibia with 33 while skipper Zane Green made 27. Only two other batsmen could reach double digit figure while the rest of the batting line up surrendered in meek fashion to give India an easy ride.
