These were the updates as India beat South Africa at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, February 6 2024:
- Defending champions India defeated hosts South Africa by two wickets in a thrilling semifinal.
- Playing a total of 245, India had a shaky start after a top-order collapse. But Sachin Das made a stunning 96 while skipper Uday Saharan scored an all-important 81 as India sealed a hard-fought win.
- Earlier, South Africa finished 244-7 after being put in to bat first with Lhuan-dre Pretorius the top scorer with 76.
- India will play either Pakistan or Australia in the final on Sunday.
It's oft been the thorne that's pricked Indian cricket fans the most in ICC tournaments of late - seeing through a knockout after being put of pressure early. It was the state of India's chase in the semifinal against of South Africa in Benoni as Tristan Luus and Kwena Mapheka reduced them to 32/4.
In the backdrop of the Kwena chants at the Willowmoore Park, Maphaka steams in to bowl his last over. And he may just have turned the tide in favor of the Proteas. Avanish Aravelly had been struggling from the beginning today and off Maphaka's last ball - a sharp bouncer - he went for the hook and is caught at fine leg. South Africa have a sixth wicket, a third for Maphaka. India, 226/6 after 47 overs.