Published>Fri, Jan 22 10 07:40 PM
Lincoln (New Zealand), Jan.22 (ANI): In what promises to be the match of the tournament so far, defending champion India will meet two-time former winner Pakistan in the quarter-finals here on Saturday.
The match will be televised live by ESPN STAR Sports to a worldwide audience.
The subcontinent rivals weren't expected to meet so early in the tournament. But after a less than convincing performance with the bat against England on Thursday, India finished second in Group A having earlier dispatched Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The side will be looking to impressive fast bowler Saurabh Netrawalkar to utilise the conditions with the new ball.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has unearthed a potential superstar in Muhammad Babar Azam who has scored 260 runs at an average of 130 at the top of the order.
The side won a close three-way chase with the West Indies and Bangladesh to on finish top of Group D with its final group match against Bangladesh going down to the last over.
India captain Ashok Menaria said his side was positive despite going down to England. "Although we lost, we're pretty confident," he said. "With one loss a good team doesn't become bad."
Pakistan captain Azeem Ghumman said his side will go into the bat with its confidence high. "All the boys are good enough to perform against any team - not just India - and I'm very hopeful that they will do well."
In the other quarter-final on Saturday in Rangiora, Group A winner England faces a dangerous West Indies, who finished second in Group D.
England cantered through its first two matches, but was tested by a talented Indian team in the final group match before coming out on top largely thanks to Ben Stokes' magnificent century.
West Indies secured wins against Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea (PNG) after losing its first match of the tournament to Pakistan by 40 runs. Kraigg Braithwaite showed his talent with knocks of 92 not out against Pakistan and 82 against the PNG.
The side's key victory came against Bangladesh when it fought back to win by one-run. (ANI)
Source: Web Search
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