Opener Manjot Kalra produced a sparkling 101 not out as India scored a handsome eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Bay Oval in Tauranga today to become the first side to win four titles at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.

The left-hander struck eight fours and three sixes during his 102-ball knock as favourites India coasted to 220 for two in 38.5 overs, much to the delight of Indian supporters who formed the majority of the 3,000-odd spectators who turned out for the day-night match. A combined bowling effort had earlier helped dismiss Australia for 217 in 47.2 overs.

Shubman Gill produced a classy century in the face of some fine fast bowling as India marched into their sixth final at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup with a facile 203 runs victory over Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

In front of broadcast cameras, Gill’s innings of 102 not out in the second Super League semi-final helped India post a challenging 272 for nine even as Pakistan bowlers Muhammad Musa and Arshad Iqbal bowled their hearts out to share seven scalps.

Shubman Gill produced a sublime innings of 86 as three-time champions India scored an impressive 131 runs victory over Bangladesh to set-up a semi-final clash with arch-rivals Pakistan at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.

The number-three batsman’s 94-ball essay, in which he hit nine fours, helped India score a challenging 265 in the last Super League quarter-final in front of broadcast cameras at the John Davies Oval ground in Queensland.

A magnificent 180 runs opening wicket stand between captain Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra was the cornerstone of India’s thumping 100 runs victory over Australia in a battle of former champions on the second day of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 at the Bay Oval, Tauranga.

In front of broadcast cameras, Shaw scored a fine 94 and Kalra contributed 86 as India rattled up an imposing 328 for seven in 50 overs. Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi then equally shared six wickets between them as Australia were bowled out for 228 in 42.5 overs with Jack Edwards following uphis four for 65 with a gutsy 73.

New Zealand started with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over defending champions Windies while Afghanistan pulled off a five-wicket win over Pakistan on the opening day of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup today.

Number three batsman Finn Allen, a second-timer at the U19 CWC, was the star for the hosts with an unbeaten 115 in Tauranga while Darwish Rasool’s 76 anchored Afghanistan’s victory in Whangarei after a fine bowling effort by the Asia Cup champions.

An all-round effort from captain Kaylum Boshier and Todd Watson has helped New Zealand’s U19 side to a 52-run win in their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 warm-up against Zimbabwe at Hagley Park in Christchurch.

New Zealand batted first, with Boshier spending almost 40 overs in the middle, while Watson, who came in at No. 9, hit a quick-fire 50 to set Zimbabwe 221 for victory.

Pakistan have been one of the better sides in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup over the years. They are the only ones to have won back-to-back titles, in 2004 and 2006, and have also finished runners-up on three other occasions. In the last edition, they lost to eventual champions the Windies in the quarterfinals.

Hassan Khan, who topped Pakistan’s batting charts with 293 runs in the Bangladesh event and made his first-class debut for Karachi Whites this season, will lead the squad in New Zealand, where the tournament is being held for the third time.

Past U19 Cricket World Cups have seen quite a few sons of international cricketers in action and this time is going to be no different with Austin Waugh and Thando Ntini among those looking to display their potential in a tournament that showcases future stars every two years.

Austin Waugh, the son of former Australia captain Steve Waugh, first burst into public consciousness when he hit an unbeaten 122 in the final of the Under-17 National Championships in 2016 while Makhaya Ntini’s son Thando Ntini grabbed four for 56 on his debut for the South Africa U19 team against the Windies earlier this year.