It146;s India vs Pak for the title

So Pakistan play India on Sunday, and it isn8217;t in a dead rubber, but for real silverware. The senior series might have been decided, bu...

So Pakistan play India on Sunday, and it isn8217;t in a dead rubber, but for real silverware. The senior series might have been decided, but the under-19 cricketers of India and Pakistan will fight for the world title at Colombo.

Pakistan8217;s 163-run win over Australia today ensured that the title contest remains between two teams in prime form. India haven8217;t lost the golden touch since they landed here, while Pakistan took a U-turn after they nosedived against Bangladesh in the second league game.

Bounceability is something that the defending champions showed today. After being 80/5 at one stage, they went on to make a match-winning total of 287. Ask the Pakistan coach, and he gives a very sub-continent-type reason for this. 8216;8216;As Pakistanis we have this trait that we do things only when we are pushed in a corner,8217;8217; he says in all seriousness.

When told that his team is on the threshold of history as no team has ever defended an under-19 World Cup title, he shrugs his shoulders and says quizzically: 8220;Is it?8217;8217;

So will your boys be under any kind of pressure? 8216;8216;Now you have said this, it is got to reach them and maybe now they might start thinking on those lines,8217;8217; he says.

It is this mindset that saw Pakistan show a new hero for virtually every game. While it has been the bowlers who have monopolised the Man of Match Awards 8212; different in very game 8212; so far in the tournament today it was the batsmen who stood up. Riaz Kail 87 and Ali Asad 66 took the score from 80/5 to 240/6 and that proved decisive.

This meant that when the Aussies came out to chase the victory target of 288 against the top quality Pakistan attack, the odds were against them. Aussie captain Moises Henriques confessed this after the game. 8216;8216;We cracked under pressure,8217;8217; he said. That8217;s not something one hears from an Aussie captain every day.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More