Confident India face Bangladesh

U19 World Cup quarters

Queenstown, Jan 25: After convincing wins in all their three group matches against Australia, Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe, the Indian Under 19 team will lock horns with Bangladesh in the quarter-fil of the ICC U19 World Cup at the Queenstown Events Centre here on Friday.

India were unbeaten in topping Group B, completing a domint 100-run win over Australia in their first match of the tourment. They followed that up with 10-wicket demolitions of PNG and Zimbabwe to wrap up a perfect start to the competition.

The Prithvi Shaw-led side will look to continue their winning run against Bangladesh and earn an easy victory once again to book a semi-fil berth against arch-rivals Pakistan on January 30.

Going into Friday’s tie, India will once again bank on their batting prowess led by the skipper, who has 151 runs from three matches at an impressive strike-rate of 108.63, along side the likes of Shubman Gill, who has scores of 63 and 90 against Australia and Zimbabwe respectively.

While the form of the top order has been quite impressive, India’s middle order hasn’t been tested ahead of the knockouts, and early breakthroughs could put their batting to the sword.

In the pace department, K.L. garkoti and Shivam Mavi have already earned plaudits for clocking 90 mph at regular intervals. Against Australia, garkoti claimed four wickets but has struggled with his line and length since.

The spin department will be led by left-armer Anukul Roy, who has troubled the opposition with his guile and turn. Roy bagged his maiden five-for and followed it up with another four-wicket haul against Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, started well in the tourment beating minnows mibia by 87 runs in their first encounter and Cada by 66 runs in their second.

But the side failed to register their third victory over England and lost their fil group match by 7 wickets. Coming straight from the loss to face against a dangerous Indian side, Bangladesh are likely to feel the pressure.

India will be wary of the batting prowess of Towhid Hridoy, whose 122 sank Cada along while Afif Hossain all-round abilities can be enough for the Bangladeshis to create an upset. IANS