India thump Papua New Guine in U-19 World Cup opener

Tanmay Srivastava slammed a 76-ball 83 as India thumped Papua New Guinea by 195 runs to kick off their under-19 cricket World Cup campaign in style on Sunday.

Put in to bat, India cruised to 280 for five in 50 overs with opener Sreevats Goswami (58) and Taruwar Kohli (40) giving the side a 100-run stand before Tanmay and captain Viraat Kohli (40) capitalised on the start.

In reply, Papua New Guinea were shot out for 85 in 28 overs. Iqbal Abdulla scalped three batsmen, while Pradeep Sangwan, Ajitesh Argal and Viraat Kohli claimed two each.

India bagged two points from the win.

The Indian colts feasted on a listless Papua New Guinea attack and both the openers sent the bowlers on a leatherhunt.

Even after they returned, there was no respite for their opponents as both Tanmay and Viraat scored at a brisk pace.

Tanmay eventually fell for 83 off 76 balls that included seven hits to the fence and three sixes.

With a mountain to climb, Papua New Guinea lost opener Heini Siaka (0) in the fourth ball of the innings when Pradeep trapped the batsmen plumb in front.

Since then, it was an endless march back to the hut as Papua New Guinea players failed to put up any resistance in the face of some hostile bowling from the Indians.

Only Alfred Amini (26), Tony Ura (15) and captain Colin Amini (11) reached double digits as the side collapsed in 28 overs.

In preliminary league matches, Pakistan beat Malaysia by eight wickets in Johor and Australia defeated Namibia by 149 runs in Penang while England spanked Ireland by 10 wickets here.

Brief scores:

India:

280-5 in 50 overs (Tanmay Srivastava 83 not out, Shreevats Goswami 58, Taruwar Kohli 40, Virat Kohli 40)

Papua New Guinea:

85 all out in 28 overs (Alfred Amini 26, Iqbal Abdullah 3-2, Pradeep Sangwan 2-18, Ajitesh Argal 2-5, Virat Kohli 2-4).