Dubai, Feb 17 (IANS): India survived a scare from minnows Scotland as Sarfaraz Khan eventually bailed out the defending champions to win the Group A match by five wickets in the ICC Under-19 World Cup here Monday.
Electing to bat first, Scotland could not put up against the Indian spinners and were bowled out for 88 runs in only 29.4 overs. Man of the match Kuldeep Yadav (4/28) clinched a hat-trick to set an easy target for the Indian batsman at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
However, the Indian chase suffered a huge jolt at the start when they tottered at 22/5. But Sarfaraz's unbeaten 45 and Deepak Hooda (25 not out) saw India through to the end and the Asian team won the match in 22.3 overs.
Scotland's decision to bat first did not turn out the way they wanted it with only opener Andrew Umeed (44) showing any kind of resistance. The Scottish batsman had nothing much to talk about as Gavin Main (16) was the only other batsman to reach double figures apart from Umeed.
Pacers Chama Milind (1/16) and Avesh Khan (1/14) kept their line and length to pick up a wicket apiece in five overs each. But the main job was done by the spinners Yadav and off break bowler Aamir Gani.
Left arm chinaman bowler Yadav (4/28) became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the U-19 World Cup when he scalped Nick Farrar (0), Kyle Stirling (0) and wicketkeeper batsman Alex Baum (5). Later on, he also went on to pick up the wicket of Mark Watt (0).
Gani, on the other hand, displayed his skills to notch 4/28 in 9.4 overs, finishing off the Scottish innings.
Chasing a measly target of 89, the Indian top five perished for single digits including skipper Vijay Zol (4) as India was tottering at 22/5. But Khan and Hooda struck the all important 70-run sixth wicket partnership to take the defending champions home.
Hooda scored two fours and gave good support to Khan, who hit five boundaries and a six in his 51 ball innings.
India now sit atop Group A with four points from two wins in two matches and play their last league match against Papua New Guinea Feb 19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.