India all out for 145

It doesn’t necessarily follow that success at a global age group competition leads to success at the higher level. The two teams, having come together only a few months ago, underwent meticulous preparation.

They reserved their best for the knock-out rounds, first stunning Pakistan by five wickets before ending the dream of hosts and tournament favourites Bangladesh with a thrilling three-wicket win in Thursday’s semi-final.

Indian captain Ishan Kishan could not come to his side’s rescue today. “We have to rely on the skills that we have and most importantly the learning that’s taken place in the last four to five matches”.

█ There is obviously tension before every match and this is the World Cup final. The umpires even asked the West Indies players whether they wanted to withdraw their appeal, but they declined. We will try to eat as early as possible and go to sleep. On the eve of the game, two highly confident bunch of tyros are getting ready for what will surely be the biggest day in their short cricketing careers thus far. That pegged us back,”Miraz told reporters after the match”.

The West Indies team has been in incredible form throughout the tournament.

But the success of their predecessors and seniors will inspire both teams to realise their ambition – India seeking a fourth U19 title and the West Indies its first.

West Indies used only four bowlers for a very long time. We have reached our goal following a certain plan, and now it is about following that plan again. Though it must be said that they looked in control of the chase at most times of the second innings, considering that there were not many runs on the board. But, Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies captain, did not read much into it. “More than pace, it is how we handle them”, he said.

This would have wiped away all the areas of discontent and the players can get down to the business of winning the WC T20 tournament. The ball had pace, bounce and movement to make a fool out of the batter.

Brief scores: Bangladesh Under-19s 226 (Mehedi Hasan Miraz 60, Keemo paul 3/23); West Indies Under-19s 230/7 (Shamar Springer not out 62, Saleh Ahmed Shawon 3/37).

And the controversies surrounding the game back in the islands only serves as added incentive to do well.

“Those are claims that were made by Mr. Sammy and they stand by themselves, unsupported, no substantive evidence to support what he is saying and just a claim left idle by itself”, Hinds, a former Test opening batsman, said.