But it was far from straightforward for the side being coached by Dav Whatmore. Chasing England’s total of 219-8, India lost its first three wickets for just seven runs as pacers Steven Finn and James Harris made early inroads.
But then a 134-run partnership between Saurabh and Tanmay Srivastava calmed India’s nerves and ensured a relatively trouble-free run-chase from then on. Saurabh’s 98 not out came off 115 balls and included 11 fours and three sixes.
Earlier, England’s Dan Redfern and Ben Brown shared a 113-run partnership for the sixth wicket after a shaky start had reduced the 1998 champion to 95-5. But captain Virat Kohli (2-40) and all-rounder Tanmay (2-36) made sure England’s total never got too high.
Meanwhile, defending champions Pakistan made up for their first warm-up defeat to England with a five-wicket defeat of Bangladesh at Club Aman.
Ahmed Shahzad (79 not out) anchored the innings as Pakistan successfully chased Bangladesh’s total of 203 all out. Shahzad shared an impressive opening partnership of 89 with Umer Akmal – younger brother of Pakistan senior wicketkeeper Kamran – and in reality, the chase was never in doubt as Iman Wasim’s team was always ahead of the rate.
Elsewhere, Host Malaysia put in a good all-round team effort to beat East Asia-Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea by 59 runs at Kilat Cricket Club.
Muhammad Faizal scored 63, including five fours and two sixes, as Malaysia reached 201-7 after its 50 overs. Faizal was assisted along the way by Mohamad Norwira, who made a crucial 40 to set up what was no more than a par score.
Led by Willie Gavera, who took 2-21 off 10 overs, PNG’s bowlers impressed with their ability to restrict the opposition batsmen.
But Malaysia’s attack showed more penetration and snaffled important wickets at key times. Muhamad Nik Azril took 3-17 off 10 overs while Mohammad Kasman (2-18) and Sarvana Raj (2-20) also did their bit.
Only Jason Kila dug in for PNG as he made 38 before edging one from Raj to the wicketkeeper Mohammad Shafiq.
In the last warm-up game of the day at Selangor Turf Club, a fine knock of 98 from George Worker and then a six-wicket haul from Nick Beard made sure of a comfortable victory for New Zealand over Ireland.
Only an aggressive knock of 72 off 50 balls from Ireland’s Paul Stirling caused the junior Black Caps any trouble as the Irish crumbled to 133 all out, chasing New Zealand’s mammoth total of 314-9. By way of consolation for Stirling, he got the news today that he had been called up to the senior Ireland squad for its upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh, which starts after the conclusion of the U/19 CWC.
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