ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup quarter finals: Preview

#4 India vs Bangladesh (26th January)

Prithvi Shaw has done well for India

This clash looks like a complete mismatch. Bangladesh had it easier in the group stages. Apart from the game against England which they lost comprehensively, they faced the lesser fancied teams like Canada and Namibia.

Indians have not put a foot wrong ever since they started the tournament with a bang by beating Aussies in their first match. They have looked the team to beat and are certainly favourites to win the World Cup.

Openers Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra have done a terrific job. Shubman Gill, when asked to open against Zimbabwe, showed his prowess at the top of the order with a scintillating inning.

However, it is their bowling that has attracted everyone’s attention. Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi have consistently clocked in the mid 140s kph range and troubled the batsmen. Spinners Anukul Roy, Abhishek Sharma have strangled the opposition in the middle overs.

If Bangladesh needs to make a match of this, then all the departments will have to fire in unison. Bangladesh openers have not been consistent. The middle order has shown some promise.

Towhid Hridoy has already got a hundred against Canada; Saif Hassan scored a quickfire 84 against Namibia. Afif Hossain too has done well. In the game against England, Bangladesh was reduced to 27/4. It was Afif Hossain’s 63 that took them to a total of 175 runs.

Afghanistan's new ball bowlers, Onik and Mahmud have provided their early breakthroughs. They will have their task cut out against an opposition whose openers have given them starts at 180, 65*and 155*.

What to expect

India happen to be the favourites to qualify for the semi-finals. If Bangladesh wants to qualify, they will need to quickly get rid of the Indian openers as the middle order has been untested and perhaps it will be their only chance for victory.