Bulawayo, Feb 1 (UNI) Kanishk Chouhan turned the momentum decisively in India Under-19’s favour with a punchy all-round contribution as India booked a semifinal berth with a commanding 58-run win over Pakistan Under-19 in the 12th match of Super Six Group 2 (B,C) of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 at the Queens Sports Club here on Sunday.
While the foundations were laid earlier, it was Kanishk’s late surge with the bat and his timely breakthrough with the ball that ensured India stayed firmly ahead in a high-pressure contest against their traditional rivals.
Asked to bat after Pakistan won the toss, India found themselves in early trouble as three wickets fell inside the first nine overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck a brisk 30 to provide early momentum, but the dismissals of Aaron George (16), Sooryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre (0) reduced India to a shaky 47 for three.
The innings was steadied by Vedant Trivedi, who displayed maturity beyond his years with a composed 68 off 98 balls. Trivedi absorbed pressure and rebuilt patiently through key partnerships with Vihaan Malhotra (21) and Abhigyan Kundu (16), guiding India through a testing middle phase and past the 150-run mark.
As the innings entered its final stretch, Kanishk Chouhan took charge. Walking in with the run rate needing a lift, he played with freedom and clarity, striking 35 off just 29 balls with four boundaries and a six. His stand with Khilan Patel, who added a rapid 21 off 15 balls, injected urgency into the innings and pushed India beyond the 250-run mark. India were eventually bowled out for 252 in 49.5 overs, with Abdul Subhan leading Pakistan’s bowling effort with figures of 3 for 33.
Defending the total, India struck early enough to keep Pakistan under check. Hamza Zahoor played positively at the top, scoring 42 off 49 balls, while Usman Khan anchored the chase with a patient 66 off 92 deliveries. Alongside captain Farhan Yousaf, who counter-attacked with a 38-ball 38, Pakistan stayed in the hunt through the middle overs.
Just as Pakistan looked to rebuild, Kanishk delivered with the ball. His disciplined spell created pressure and earned a crucial wicket, breaking momentum at a key stage. Skipper Mhatre then tightened India’s grip with a decisive spell of 3 for 21, including the prized wicket of Usman Khan. Khilan Patel backed it up with 3 for 35, as Pakistan’s chase gradually unraveled.
With wickets falling regularly and the required rate climbing, Pakistan’s lower order failed to mount a late challenge and were bowled out for 194 in 46.2 overs.
With this victory, India confirmed their place in the semifinals and will face Afghanistan in the second semifinal of the tournament. Pakistan, meanwhile, were knocked out following the defeat.
For India, the match underlined the value of impact performances under pressure, with Kanishk Chouhan’s timely aggression and control standing out as the defining influence in a crucial Super Six encounter.
