India knocked out of U-19 World Cup

England chased down a modest Indian total of 221/8 with three wickets in hand in the quarterfinal to knock the defending champions out out of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here Saturday.

Electing to bat, India put on 221 runs in their 50 overs after reeling at 24/4 in the ninth over. The English boys chased down the total with five balls to spare in a thrilling finish.

Down at 24/4, skipper Vijay Zol (48) played a patient 85-ball knock to take India out of trouble and to safety. However, the defending champions kept losing more wickets but top scorer Deepak Hooda (68) and a late surge by Sarfaraz Khan, who remained unbeaten on 52, helped India reach a respectable 200-par total.

English pacer Matthew Fisher clinched three wickets while Jack Winslade, Rob Sayer and Ryan Higgins took a wicket apiece.

In reply, though England kept losing wickets at regular intervals, man of the match Ben Duckett (61) anchored the European side in the middle overs. After Duckett fell, Joe Clarke (42) and Rob Jones (28 not out) saw the team through to qualify for the semifinals.

Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers, clinching three wickets for 46 runs in his 10 overs.

England will take on Pakistan in the semifinal, who beat Sri Lanka in the other quarterfinal.