Mushir Khan's best performance continued in the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup, as his 200th goal was his 200th goal as they thrashed New Zealand by 214 points in the Super 6 clash here on Tuesday.
After India's top performer Mushir scored 131 runs and opener Adarsh Singh scored 52 runs, India made a huge leap forward to a total of 295/8.Left-arm spinner Saumi Kumar Pandey (4/19) ) and pacer Raj Limbani (2/17) tore apart New Zealand's top order. We beat them for just 81 runs in 28.1 overs.
Limbani hit the first and fifth balls of the New Zealand innings to keep India's momentum going till the end.
India's vice-captain Pandey overcame a fierce challenge from the Black Caps and finished with an impressive record of 10 wins, 2 losses, 19 losses and 4 draws.
New Zealand had a sluggish score of 27/4 in the power play, but as in every tournament, Indian stallions are among the favorites to win, so they couldn't really make a comeback.
It was New Zealand's third heaviest defeat in terms of goals conceded, and also their third lowest total conceded at the U-19 World Cup stage.
Earlier, Muthir ended New Zealand's attack with his second century in the ICC U-19 World Cup, while opener Adarsh Singh scored 52 runs as India achieved a tough target of 296 runs.
In a perfect batting performance here at Manghan Oval, Mushir broke through the Kiwi bowling line-up and with an incredible effort overtook Pakistan's Shahzaib Khan to become the first batsman to cross 300 runs in this tournament.
Along the way for 131 pitches, Machere had 13 quads and three sixes off just 125 pitches, and at times showed great disposition to up the ante when needed.
Always busy at the crease, the 18-year-old musher delivered vigorous strokes in all directions from the edge, while starting with an uppercut for four.
His innings was disrupted by some great running between the wickets and just when he tried to accelerate it ended in a death over.
After an early blow for India, Mushir and Adarsh made a brilliant recovery by scoring 77 runs for the second wicket.
Adarsh took charge of the attack for the bowlers as he looked good during the drives with rise and also played pull shots with elan.
It was a shame he couldn't contain the drive when Zach Cumming (1/37) missed one from the outside and teased him.
In the 18th over, the thick edge of Adarsh's bat flew to Oliver Tewatiya, ending the attack for the left-handed Indian opener, who hit 52 six fours off 58 balls.
Disappointment awaited Indian captain Uday Saharan as well, as he could not get a start and was dismissed after 35 balls (57 balls, 2 fours). At the start of the tournament, he was scoring 250 points on the trot.
Despite this, Saharan did a great job of strengthening his team's innings, scoring 87 runs in Mushir, which happened to be the best stand for India in this match.
However, despite Mushir's century and Adarsh's contribution at the top, India lost wickets in a hurry in the closing stages and fell short of the 300-run mark, finishing with 295 for eight.
easy score: India U-19 295/8 in 50 overs (Adarsh Singh 52, Mushir Khan 131, Uday Sahara 35, Mason Clarke 4/64) while New Zealand U-19 81 (Oscar Jackson 19, Raj Limbani 2/17) in 28.1 overs. Saumy Pandey (4/19) with 214 runs.