After Mushir Khan’s century, with the sharp bowling of Naman Tiwari and Swami Pandey, India registered its second consecutive win by defeating Ireland by 201 runs in the Group A match of the Under-19 World Cup here on Thursday.
Chasing India’s target of 302 runs, Ireland scored only 100 runs in 29.3 overs in front of the excellent bowling of left-arm fast bowler Tiwari (four wickets for 53 runs) and left-arm spinner Pandey (three wickets for 21 runs). But it was piled up.
Daniel Forkin, who came to bat at number 10 for Ireland, scored the highest unbeaten 27 runs. The team had lost eight wickets for 45 runs and the margin of defeat could have been bigger but Forkin made 39 runs for the ninth wicket with Oliver Riley (15) and 16 runs for the last wicket with Lynn Luton (07). By adding this the team’s score reached triple digits.
Apart from Forkin and Riley, only openers Jordan Neal (11) and Ryan Hunter (13) were able to reach double digits. Earlier, India scored 301 runs for seven wickets with Musheer’s 118 runs and his 156-run partnership with captain Uday Saharan (75 runs in 84 balls).
India defeated Bangladesh by 84 runs in its first match. With two wins in two matches, India is on top of Group A with four points and it is almost certain to make it to the next stage.
Musheer’s elder brother Sarfaraz also played an innings of 161 runs in the unofficial Test against England Lions in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Musheer hit nine fours and four sixes in his innings of 106 balls. After completing his half-century in 66 balls, Musheer reached his century in the next 34 balls.
Sachin Dhas, probably the most talented player included in the Indian Under-19 team, finally played an inning of 21 runs in nine balls, taking India’s score beyond 300 runs, which is the highest score in an Under-19 international match on this ground. India scored 119 runs in the last 10 overs.
Musheer took time to settle into his rhythm but then played shots all over the field against the Irish bowlers. Strong on the on side, Musheer hit all his sixes between square leg, deep midwicket and long on. He also hit two sixes on the opposing team’s best fast bowler Oliver Riley (three wickets for 55 runs).
Like the first match, Saharan once again played the role of anchor and preferred to rotate the strike and allowed Musheer to play his natural aggressive game.