India and Pakistan will play against each other on 1st February in the U-19 cricket World Cup Super Sixes round.
I still remember the high-voltage contests between India and Pakistan in the past. I had been eager to watch India-Pakistan matches in full capacity. There is always something special in Pakistan-India combat at all levels. When these two nations encounter each other, many exciting events develop.
India and Pakistan qualify for the Super Sixes
Pakistan, after today’s win against New Zealand, is holding third position in groups table.
Till today, the group table shows Australia ( current champion) and India (5-time champion) as toppers in their groups, respectively.
A third consecutive victory to close out the group stage of the Under-19 World Cup ensured that five-time champions India finished at the top of Group B. This performance has underlined their dominance in the opening phase of the tournament.
That top-of-the-table finish has set up one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries. India is now going to face Pakistan in the Super Six stage. The high-profile encounter is scheduled to be played on February 1 in Bulawayo. This match will add further intrigue to what promises to be a fiercely contested fixture.
Other Matches
The tournament format dictates how teams progress beyond the group stage and how their matchups are determined in the Super Sixes. From each group, three teams qualify for the next round, and crucially, they carry forward the points they earned against the other teams that also advance to the Super Six stage.
Once there, each team plays two additional matches, but not against every opponent in their Super Sixes group. Instead, there are pairs of teams against sides that finish in different positions in the group stage standings.
For instance, a team that finishes first in its group will face the teams that stand second and third in the corresponding group, but will not play the group topper from that side.
In this structure, Groups A and D combine into one Super Sixes group, while Groups B and C form the other, shaping the path teams must navigate as they push for a place in the knockout rounds. India finished as B1, and Pakistan C2, with England topping that group. In the Super Sixes, India’s other opponents are Zimbabwe (C3), whom they play on January 27 in Bulawayo. Pakistan’s other game in the Super Sixes is on the same day, against New Zealand in Harare.
India U-19 performance in Group matches
India has enjoyed a commanding run so far, stamping their authority early in the tournament with a series of convincing performances. Their campaign began with a one-sided victory over the USA, where the bowlers dismantled the opposition for just 107. The chase was a mere formality, as India cruised past the DLS-adjusted target with six wickets in hand and an astonishing 118 deliveries to spare.
Pakistan U-19 performance in Group matches
Pakistan’s journey has been more mixed. They began with a 36-run defeat to England after conceding 210 and responding with 174. However, they bounced back strongly, registering comfortable victories over Scotland by six wickets and Zimbabwe by eight wickets.
Other matches in the World Cup
The upcoming clash also carries recent history. India and Pakistan last met in the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai on December 21, where Pakistan delivered a dominant performance. Powered by Sameer Minhas’ brilliant 172 in a total of 347 for 8, Pakistan then bowled India out for 156, with Ali Raza claiming four wickets to seal a memorable 191-run win.
