India scores morale-boosting win over Pakistan in U-19 World Cup warm-up match

Dhaka : Rahul Dravid-coached India recorded a five-wicket victory over Pakistan on the final day of the warm-up matches on Monday ahead of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016, which starts on January 27.Pakistan was dismissed for 197 in 44.1 overs in a match reduced to 45 overs-a-side due to a delayed start, and India surpassed the target in the 34th over to fashion a convincing and morale-boosting win.India’s left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed grabbed five wickets for 30 runs as Pakistan, which was cruising at 75 for one at one stage, lost its last nine wickets for 122 runs. Mohammad Umar (36) and Hasan Mohsin (33) were the main scorers.Big-hitting Sarfaraz Khan sealed India’s comfortable win by smashing 81 off 68 balls with 12 boundaries and a six.Host Bangladesh trounced England by 97 runs to show it will be a force to reckon with in the tournament.Shafiul Hayet hit 68 and Mohammad Saifuddin scored an unbeaten 46 as Bangladesh notched up 246 for eight in its 50 overs after electing to take first strike.Skipper Mehidy Miraz and Mehedi Rana shared six wickets as England was shot out for 149 in 48.1 overs with only Brad Taylor (41) and Callum Taylor (36) making useful contributions.New Zealand’s spin twins, Aniket Parikh and Rachin Ravindra, took three wickets each to help their side overcome a spirited Afghanistan by 13 runs.