It’s India vs Pakistan in Dubai

February 15. Exactly a year to the day, India will begin their title defence against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. While that is still a year away, today, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which is nicknamed the ‘Ring of Fire,’ the Indian Under-19 team too will begin their title defence against Pakistan.

The next generation of Indian and Pakistan cricketers will lock horns in what should be an intriguing battle on the cards. By March 1, India would try to emulate Pakistan, who have won back-to-back titles and a record fourth crown.

India won the title under Mohammad Kaif in 2000, Virat Kohli in 2008 and Unmukt Chand in 2012.

The India colts have been on a gold rush since the previous World Cup held in Australia in 2012, winning four series, including the Asia Cup, where they defeated Pakistan in the final. Last July, India also won the Top End U-19 tri-series, which featured Australia and New Zealand, and beat Sri Lanka in August in a bilateral series as well as winning the U19 quadrangular series, which also involved South Africa, Australia and Zimbabwe.

However, India come into the tournament proper on the back of two consecutive losses in the warm-up games against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Despite the reverses, Indian captain Vijay Zol said that they were confident of defending the title. “We are really confident about our chances in the tournament. We have won in the past and also the recently concluded Asia Cup. So, we are carrying the momentum with us. Everybody is looking in good nick and working hard, and we are looking forward to playing in the tournament,” Zol said.

Zol gave enough respect to the opposition but added that they could get the job done. “Pakistan are a good team. They have been doing well on the U-19 circuit, but we have managed to beat them. Recently, we beat them in the Asia Cup final that was also played here in the UAE. We are very confident about playing against them,” he added.

In the other match in Dubai, Papua New Guinea meet Scotland at the ICC Academy. In fixtures in Abu Dhabi, Australia take on Namibia at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium, while Afghanistan locks horns against Bangladesh at the Nursery Oval 2. Matches start at 9.30 a.m. james@khaleejtimes.com

Today’s matches

• India v Pakistan
• PNG v Scotland
• Australia v Namibia
• Afghans v Bangla