Raj Bawa Becomes First Indian Cricketer To Bag Fifer In An ICC Final With 5/31 vs England In U19 World Cup Final

Raj Bawa became the first Indian cricketer to bag a fifer in an ICC tournament final when he finished with figures of 5/31 in the U19 World Cup final against England in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday. Bawa combined with Ravi Kumar, who bagged 4/34, to bowl England out for 189 in the summit clash. Bawa also became the first player since Pakistan's Anwar Ali in 2006 to pick a five-wicket haul in an ICC U19 World Cup final. In Saturday's final, Bawa and Ravi's heroics helped reduce England to 61/6 at one point and 91/7 later on. However, James Rew scored a fighting knock of 95 to keep England in the contest and take them to a total of 189.

Bowling his medium pacers to deadly effect, Raj Bawa (5/31) ran through the English middle-order after the in-from left-arm seamer Ravi Kumar (4/34) laid their opponents low with two early blows.

India kept taking wickets at regular intervals but not for once did the intensity of the team dropped.

But Rew and James Sales (34 not out) defied India with their 93-run eight-wicket stand.

The Yash Dhull-led India struck as early as the second over when Ravi sent back the dangerous Jacob Bethell (2) cheaply. The man from Bengal darted one in and then got it to hold its line as Bethell missed it completely after playing across the line.

The early blow did not have any impact on George Thomas as he smashed Rajvardhan Hangargekar for 14 runs, including two fours and a six over deep midwicket, in the very next over.

However, Ravi struck again, this time bowling out English skipper Tom Prest who dragged the ball on to his stumps, putting the Indians on the top at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Having failed to execute his pull shot, thanks to a bottom edge, Prest, who had earlier won a good