NEW DELHI: All-rounders Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel’s quick 50-run partnership turned out to be the lone bright spot as India posted a par total of 252 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a Super Six clash of the ICC U-19 World Cup on Sunday.

Kanishk with 35 off 29 balls and Khilan with an unbeaten 21 off 15 added 50 runs in just 5.1 overs to provide the late push after Vedant Trivedi’s steady 68 off 98 balls laid the base for the innings.

However, Pakistan will need to chase down the target within 33.4 overs to edge past India on net run rate and seal a semi-final spot.

Even if Pakistan win after that mark, India will still qualify for the semifinals.

Pakistan bowlers apply pressure early

Asked to bat, Vaibhav Suryavanshi got India off to a brisk start with 30 off 22 balls. But after surviving an early chance off left-arm pacer Mohammad Sayyam who finished with figures of 2 for 69, he perished while attempting a second pull shot in successive deliveries.

Skipper Ayush Mhatre’s struggles in Youth ODIs continued as he fell for a first-ball duck while Aaron George was undone by a peach from the tall Abdul Subhan. The delivery pitched on middle and jagged back to crash into the off stump.

Bowling full and straight, Subhan used his height well to extract awkward bounce and keep the Indian batters under pressure.

India slipped from 47 without loss to 47 for 3 before left-hander Vihaan Malhotra joined Vedant to steady the innings. The pair added 62 runs but the slow surface made stroke-making difficult and prevented the top order from accelerating.

Vedant batted patiently for his 98-ball knock that included two fours and a six. His innings ended when he miscued a full toss from left-arm wrist spinner Momin Qamar.

Kanishk and Khilan finally broke the shackles at the death, throwing their bats when it mattered most to push India to what could prove to be a safe total.

(With PTI Inputs)