U-19 World Cup: In opener, Sarfaraz Khan, bowlers rescue India against Ireland

Sarfaraz Khan top scored for India with an innings of 74 runs. (Source: ICC)

Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar blasted twin half-centuries as India notched up a comprehensive 79-run win over Ireland in their opening match to make a resounding start to their campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup Mirpur on Thursday.

Sarfaraz (74) and Washington (62) shared 110 runs in 17.2 overs to pull India from 55 for 4 and post a competitive 268 for nine in their stipulated 50 overs after Ireland won the toss and decided to field.

India then returned to dismiss Ireland for 189 in 49.1 overs, despite fifties by Lorcan Tucker (57) and William McClintock (58) in the Group D match played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here.

Chasing 269 to win, Ireland had a disastrous start as both their openers Jack Tector (1) and Stephen Doheny (4) were sent back to the pavillion within four overs after being run-out by Armaan Jaffer and skipper Ishan Kishan respectively.

First down, Adam Dennison (20) too was dismissed in the 15th over when he tried to glide a Rahul Batham (3/15) delivery to the third man only to be caught by Ricky Bhui at first slip.

Two overs later, Batham picked up his second wicket when he had Gary McClintock caught at first slip by Bhui as Ireland slumped to 46 for four in 16.2 overs.

Lorcan Tucker (57) and William McClintock (58) then shared a crucial 113 run partnership for the fifth wicket to help Ireland recover to 159 for five. However, Zeeshan Ansari got rid of McClintock with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant knocking the bails off after he tried to go for a big shot.

Harry Tector (3) was removed by Avesh Khan in the 45th over as Ireland slipped to 165 for six.

With pressure mounting, Rory Anders (6), Joshua Little (0), Tom Stanton (4) went for big shots and perished in the process. Tucker was the last man to be dismissed.

Earlier put into bat, India suffered a big blow when they lost their skipper Kishan (0) in the third ball of the innings when he tried to poke at an away going delivery and was caught by wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker off Little (3/52).

Rishabh Pant (6) and Ricky Bhui (39) then tried to steady the innings but the former was sent packing in the 12th over when he edged a Anders delivery and was caught behind by Tucker.

Anders (3/35) then came back to dismiss Bhui in his next over when he hit straight to covers and Adam Dennison took an easy catch.

Newman Armaan Jaffer too could not stay longer as his 15-ball stay was cut short by Gary McClintock (1/35) as India slipped to 55 for four in 16.5 overs.

Sarfaraz and Washington then took the onus on themselves and added 110 runs in 17.2 overs to resurrect India’s innings to 165 for five in 34.1 overs.

The former then tried to go for a slog shot and paid the price as he was stumped by Tucker off Harry Tector. Sarfaraz blasted seven boundaries in his 70-ball innings.

Next batsman Mahipal Lomror (17) too was dismissed cheaply but Washington and Zeeshan Ansari (36) then took India across the 200-mark before the former was removed by Anders with Dennison taking the catch.

Zeeshan’s run-a-ball 36 which included two boundaries took India across the 250-mark.