India U-19 suffers first defeat in Tri Nation series

India U-19 lost by five wickets against host England U-19 to suffer its first defeat in the Tri Nation 50-over tournament.

Divyaansh Saxena plays a shot during India U-19's match against England U-19 in Cheltenham.

India U-19 lost by five wickets against host England U-19 to suffer its first defeat in the Tri Nation 50-over tournament here on Friday.

Sent in to bat, Divyaansh Saxena hit a patient 51 while opener Tilak Verma made 47 to guide India U-19 to 256 for six.

Besides, Shubhang Hegde (32 not out) and Karan Lal (31 not out) played good hands to help India U-19’s cause. Sameer Rizvi (28) and skipper Priyam Garg (13) also got starts but failed to carry on.

Off-spinner Hamidullah Qadri (2/37) and medium pacer Kasey Aldridge (2/39) chipped in with two wickets apiece for England U-19.

Chasing 257 for a win, England U-19 rode on Jack Haynes’ 104-ball 89 and opener Ben Charlesworth’s 52 to overhaul the target in 48.4 overs.

Skipper George Hill (41) and Aldridge (29) remained unbeaten to guide England U-19 home and hand the host its first win in the tournament.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Hegde was the pick of the bowlers for India U-19 with figures of three for 60.

It was India U-19 team’s first defeat in three matches. The Indians had earlier defeated England U-19 by five wickets before beating Bangladesh U-19 by six wickets in Worcester.

India U-19 will next play Bangladesh U-19 here on Saturday.

Brief Scores:

India U-19: 256 for 6 in 50 overs (Divyaansh Saxena 51, Tilak Verma 47; Hamidullah Qadri 2/37, Kasey Aldridge 2/39).

England U-19: 257 for 5 in 48.4 overs (Jack Haynes 89, Ben Charlesworth 52; Shubhang Hegde 3/60).