Update: 7 February 2024:
The India Under-19 team beat the Protea team by two wickets and will advance to the final.
South Africa scored 244 in their innings.
6 February 2024:
The Under-19 Cricket World Cup is currently taking place in South Africa. South Africa has advanced to the semi-finals and is set to face India, the current champions. South Africa will need to bat first as India won the toss and opted to field first at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Gauteng. Pakistan will play Australia in the second semi-final, which will be held at the same venue on Thursday.
India have won the tournament a record-breaking five times. The Proteas have only won once, in 2014.
The U-19 bowling coach Paul Adams said: “The South African camp is very excited to be playing a semi-final in their country. It’s a great occasion and I think one where every boy that is playing here and everyone that’s involved is relishing the occasion.”
South Africa’s 17-year-old left-arm pacer, Kwena Maphaka, was the top bowler in the current Under-19 Cricket World Cup as of the morning of 6 February. He has taken 18 wickets so far.
Musheer Khan of India, is the leading run-scorer of the tournament so far, with 334 runs in five games. His elder brother, Sarfaraz, has also played in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup and is currently part of the Indian test squad playing against England. Musheer told the ICC: “I have learnt a lot from Sarfaraz – right from how he bats, to how he is always thinking about winning the game for his team to how he builds his innings.”
Today’s semi-final is certainly a must-watch, with top-class players on both sides. Can the Proteas emerge victorious and continue on to the final?
