Sun Feb 29,11:07 AM ET
DHAKA (AFP) - Tariq Mahmood and Fawad Alam helped Pakistan to a comfortable five-wicket win over India in the semi-finals of the under-19 cricket World Cup here.
The duo put on 88 for the unbroken sixth-wicket stand as they chased a modest target of 170 with ease under lights at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Pakistan now await the winners of the second semi-final between the West Indies and England to be played here on Tuesday.
Mahmood and Alam pressed home the advantage given by their bowlers, who had restricted India to 169 in 47.3 overs.
Mahmood, who also took two wickets, scored an unbeaten 45 with a six and four boundaries, while Alam made a 50-ball 43 with seven fours after their team was struggling at 83-5.
Salman Qadir contributed 24 before falling to left-arm seamer Rudra Pratap Singh, who finished with 2-25.
Earlier, India struggled against some tight bowling and lost wickets at regular intervals after electing to bat.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan failed on the big occasion after slamming three centuries in the tournament as he was caught at mid-wicket trying to pull seamer Ali Imran.
Praful Waghela departed in the next over as the Indians were reduced to 24-2 before opener Robin Uthappa (33) and Rakesh Solanki (21) added 49 for the third wicket.
India missed the services of their skipper Ambati Rayudu, serving a one-match ban for slow over-rate in a super league match against Sri Lanka.
Wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik led the team.
Seamers Afridi and Ali Imran, and spinners Mahmood and Qadir bagged two wickets apiece.
The final will be played on March 5.
Pakistan under 19 cricket team's batsman Fawad Alam ® hits a boundary off Indian pace bowler Suresh Raina (not in the picture) as India's Robin Uttappa (L) looks on during their semi-final match of the Under 19 World Cup Cricket tournament at Bangabandu national stadium in Dhaka, 29 February 2004. Alam scored an unbeaten 43 runs as Pakistan won over India by 6 wickets.(AFP/Farjana K. Godhuly)
and a big salute to our blind cricket team
A jubilant Pakistani blind cricket team hold up their trophy after wining the one-day international cricket match series against India in Islamabad February 29, 2004. Pakistan won the five one-day match series by 5-1. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed
and in end applause for the blind Indian Cricket team for their participation and tremendous performance
The Indian blind cricket team hold their runner-up trophy after the fifth and last one-day international cricket match in Islamabad February 29, 2004. Pakistan won the five one-day match series by 5-1. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed
