Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
MIRPUR, Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant smashed his way into record books with a 24-ball 78 as India gave Nepal a rude reality check by handing them a seven-wicket defeat to finish their league engagements unbeaten in the ICC U-19 World Cup.
Thanks to this victory, India will either meet Bangladesh or Namibia in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Left-hander Pant hit nine fours and five sixes in what was the fastest 50 (off 18 balls) in the U-19 World Cup history.
India cruised to the target of 170 in 18.1 overs with Pant and skipper Ishan Kishan (52) adding 124 runs in nine overs.
Earlier, the Indian bowlers, led by Avesh Khan (3/34), restricted the Himalayan nation to 169/8 in a match that was reduced to 48 overs. Washington Sundar and Mayank Dagar also chipped in with a few wickets.
“I was not in a hurry. I was just playing my normal game. Rahul Dravid told me to stick to the basics,” said Pant about his knock.
In other matches, New Zealand beat Ireland by four wickets while Afghanistan beat Canada by four wickets.
Brief Scores: Nepal U-19: 169/8 in 48 overs (Sunar 37, Singh 35; Avesh 3/34); India U-19: 175/3 in 18.1 overs (Pant 78, Kishan 52; Tamang 2/41)
