ICC U-19 World Cup: Rahul Dravid Reveals How Pakistani Coaches Reacted After Seeing Indian Team

While the bilateral relation between India and Pakistan is perhaps at an all time low, the cricket teams have moved over the rivalry and have shown the way forward by showing exemplary camaraderie. During last year’s Champions Trophy, the Indian players had not shied away from congratulating the Pakistani players following the loss in the final and had also posed with the players from the other side of the border.

Recently, exemplary sportsman spirit was witnessed when Indian and Pakistani players tied each other’s shoelaces in the semifinal clash of the Under-19 World Cup. Now India Under-19 head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed how the coaches from each country praised each other’s team.

Revealing that he was impressed by a left-arm paceman from Pakistan, Dravid said the Pakistani coaches had lavished praised on Prithvi Shaw & Co.

“I met a Pakistani left-arm paceman who had impressed me during the entire tournament. I think as a coach it gives joy to see good talent anywhere. The Pakistani coaches were also effusive in their praise for our boys and said that the level at which the Indian boys are playing is a benchmark for everyone,” he said.

Dravid further said the Indian team did not prepare differently for the semifinal clash against Pakistan. India thoroughly dominated Pakistan in the game, scoring 272 for 9 before skittling out the opposition for a paltry 69 to win the game by 203 runs and storm into the final.

“We had no different preparation for the semi-final against Pakistan. We did the same things as we did ahead of a match against Bangladesh or Papua New Guinea. The boys knew that it was a big match but I was happy that these boys got to understand the pressure of an Indo-Pak match. I want to congratulate the boys for keeping their cool and performing at their best in the semi-final,” he said.

In the final, India came up with another clinical performance to lift the coveted trophy and become the first team to win the Under-19 World Cup on four occasions. Sent in to bowl first, India bowled out Australia for a modest 216. In reply, the boys in blue rode opener Manjot Kalra’s unbeaten century to win the game by nine wickets.

Here is the news feed:

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