The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup witnessed a masterclass in pace bowling as Henil Patel’s 5 for 38 obliterated USA’s batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 107 against unbeaten India. This Group B clash underscored the gulf in class between the teams.
Patel’s journey began with a peach of an outswinger that breached Noah McCann’s defenses. Building momentum, he castled three more in the middle overs, his figures reading 10-1-38-5 at stumps. USA’s middle order collapsed spectacularly, from 48/2 to 80/8.
Juneja’s gritty 44 offered brief resistance, but India’s varied attack, including medium pacers and tweakers, sealed the deal. The defending champions’ preparation and adaptability were on full view.
Victory here boosts India’s net run rate significantly, positioning them ideally for the knockout stages. Patel’s emergence as a strike bowler adds depth to an already formidable unit.