India got winning start in U-19 World Cup

Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar blasted a brilliant half-centuries as India recorded a comprehensive 79-run win over Ireland in its opening match at the ICC Under-19 World Cup held on Thursday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

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 allotted 50 overs, after India were forced to bat first by Ireland.

India then fought back to dismiss the Irish for 189 in 49.1 overs, despite fifties by Lorcan Tucker (57) and William McClintock (58) in the Group D match.

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 pavilion 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.