Brilliant performances by Musheer Khan and Saumy Pandey lead India to a 214-run victory over New Zealand

The star of the match was top-order batter Musheer Khan, who showcased his exceptional skills by scoring his second century of the competition. In a thrilling match held on Tuesday (30 January) in South Africa, former champions India dominated New Zealand, securing a resounding victory by 214 runs in their opening match of the Super Six stage of the 2024 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. The star of the match was top-order batter Musheer Khan, who showcased his exceptional skills by scoring his second century of the competition. Musheer’s outstanding performance included an impressive 126-ball 131, which featured an incredible display of power hitting, including 13 boundaries and three sixes. This remarkable innings helped India post a formidable total of 295/8 in 50 overs, despite a late fightback by the New Zealand U19 team. Musheer’s previous performances in the tournament had already established him as a force to be reckoned with. He had scored a brilliant 118 against Ireland in the group stage and followed it up with a solid knock of 73 against the USA in India’s next match. His consistent run-scoring ability has undoubtedly played a crucial role in India’s success so far. However, it was not just Musheer who shone in this match. Left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey also made a significant impact, claiming impressive figures of 4-19. India’s scoring rate remained steady at around six runs per over as they entered the second Powerplay. Both batsmen continued to attack, and India crossed the 100-run mark in the 17th over. With 6 points from three games in the Super Six, India solidified their position at the top of Group 1. Their next match will be against Nepal at the same venue on February 2.