How Can Arch-Rivals India, Pakistan Meet In ICC Under 19 World Cup Final

ICC U19 World Cup Final: The marquee tournament in South Africa is nearing its climax and both India and Pakistan are in the contention to reach the final.

India U19 captain Uday Saharan (Left) and Pakistan U19 skipper Saad Baig.

Source : Getty

ICC U19 World Cup Final: The ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024 is nearing its climax with the knockout stages of the tournament set to commence from February 6. Both India and Pakistan are pretty much in contention to reach the final and seems like it could well be an IND vs PAK dream final at the marquee event in South Africa. Interestingly both the teams haven't met even once in the competition so far and if they do make it to the final then it would be their first face-off in the 2024 edition of the tournanent.

For context, both India and Pakistan topped their respective groups in the group-stage of the competition without losing a game. While India won 3 out of their 3 games to top Group A with a net run rate of +3.240, Pakistan also won each of their three matches to top Group D with a net run rate of +2.180. Even though both India and Pakistan were in the same group in the Super Six stage of the tournament, the rules of the competition were such that they could not meet even in this stage.

Each team had to play matches with teams that finished in other positions than their place in their Group. Since India and Pakistan both topped their respective groups, they could not meet. However, both teams have now reached the semifinal stage of the tournament.

How Can There be an IND vs PAK U19 World Cup Final?

India, Pakistan, South Africa and Australia are the four sides that have reached the semifinal stage of the ICC U19 World Cup 2024. While India will be up against South Afirca in the first semifinal on February 6, Pakistan will lock horns against Australia in the second semifinal on February 8. If both India and Pakistan win their respective semifinals, they will play the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 final on Sunday (February 11).