New Delhi: Right-handed batsman Shubman Gill scored an impressive century in the semifinal of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 against Pakistan at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval cricket ground. Thanks to Shubman’s unbeaten 102, India managed to post 272/9 in their allotted 50 overs. With it, Shubman became the first batsman to score a century in an India-Pakistan U19 World Cup match, previous highest being Salman Butt’s 85* in 2002 edition of the tournament.
Shubman stood out amongst the batters and scored 102 runs in 94 balls, taking the team’s score to well past 250.
Earlier, both openers, skipper Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra provided a solid start after the men in blue won the toss and elected to bat first. Both had shared a partnership of 89 runs before the skipper was run out for 41. Following the skipper’s dismissal, Kalra also departed and India was 94/2
After a brief stability, the men in blue again suffered a mini-collapse in the middle overs, when Harvik Desai, Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma departed in quick succession, leaving the team tottering at 166/5.
However, Shubman, along with lower-order batsmen, brought the team back on track and India finally summed up the inning at 272/9.
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The right-hander has been in prolific form in this tournament and has three fifties and now a century against his name. Shubman during his knock became the first batsman to notch six consecutive fifty-plus scores in Youth ODI history.
Shubman reached the three-figure mark off 93 balls and registered the third fastest century by an Indian batsman in U19 World Cup. Virat Kohli’s 73-ball century against West Indies in 2008 is the fastest. Followed by Rishabh Pant (82 balls) against Namibia in 2016.
The winner of this match will take on Australia in the final of the U19 World Cup 2018 on Saturday. (With ANI inputs)