Sports Reporter :West Indies Under-19 Cricket team emerged as the champions of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup defeating India by five wickets in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.Chasing India’s total of 145 off 45.1 overs, West Indies romped home scoring 146 for the loss of five wickets when they had just three balls to spare.West Indies made a shaky start losing their two wickets for 28 runs.Then SO Hetmyer and KU Carty repaired the early damage contributing together 39 runs for the third wicket stand before Hetmyer (23) was caught at the long-on by Arman Jaffer off MJ Dagar when West Indies’ total was 67 for the loss of three wickets.Then West Indies were under pressure when they lost third-down SK Springer for three runs and fourth-down JU Goolie for three runs.When Goolie was caught and bowled by Dagar, West Indies’ score was 77 for the loss of five wickets.Then KU Carty and KM Paul took the charge to salvage their team and did their job properly. KU Carty and KM Paul added together 69 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership. Carty remained unbeaten with 52. His 125-ball patient innings was studded with two fours. Carty was adjudged the Man of the Match for match-winning innings. Mehedi Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh was adjudged the Player of the Series for his all-round performance.Paul remained undefeated with 40. He hit one four and one six in his 68-ball knock. MJ Dagar was the peak of Indian bowlers. He grabbed three wickets at the cost of 25 runs.Earlier, Indian youngsters faced a batting jolt losing five wickets for 50 runs. Then SN Khan and MK Lomror (19) put on together 37 runs for the sixth wicket stand before Lomror was caught behind by wicketkeeper TA Imlach off CK Holder when India’s total was 87 for the loss of six wickets.SN Khan was his team’s most successful batsman. He notched up 51 from 89 balls featuring five fours and a six before he was trapped leg before wicket by SK Springer when India’s total was 120 for the loss of eight wickets.RD John and AS Joseph played the key role in wrecking India’s innings with a good support from their teammate KM Paul. John and Joseph captured three wickets each instead of 38 and 39 runs respectively, while KM Paul bagged a pair of wickets for 17 runs.Besides, CK Holder and SK Springer took one wicket each for 20 and 24 runs respectively.
