The marauding Caribbeans soaked in the counter-punches and eventually romped home with five wickets in hand to beat India in the U19 World Cup Final, on Sunday February 14, 2016, to clinch their maiden trophy and then the entire team broke into an impromptu jig. Photo: Provided

Put in to bat by the Windies on a green top amid overcast conditions, the script went completely awry for the Indians, who were dismissed for 145 in 45.1 overs with Sarfaraz Khan’s 89-ball 51 being the only noteworthy contribution.

In reply, the West Indies won in 49.3 overs courtesy two mature knocks from Man of the Match Keacy Carty (52 not out) and Keemo Paul (40 not out) who steadied the ship after a mid-innings collapse and then guided their team home.

Chasing the modest target, the Caribbeans lost both their openers — Gifron Pope (3) and Tevin Imlach (15) — with just 28 runs on the board.

Skipper Shimron Hetmyer (23) and Carty then put together a 39-run third-wicket stand to steady the rocking boat.

However, left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar gave India the much-needed breakthrough when he got Hetmyer caught at long on by Armaan Jaffer.

Next man in was Shamar Springer, the West Indies’s most successful batsman of the tournament. But the right-hander could not make an impact and struggled for nine deliveries before an attempted slog sweep had him caught by Jaffer for 3, off Dagar again.

While wickets were tumbling around him, Carty kept his cool to plough on even though the scoring rate was painfully slow.

Proceedings livened up when Carty was joined by Paul. The 17-year-old Paul pushed hard for singles and it was his six off Dagar which broke the shackles for West Indies after a lengthy stretch of dot balls.

The 69-run stand between Carty and Paul made all the difference in the end as the unbeaten Indians finally found their match in the summit clash.

Earlier, Indian batsmen faltered when it mattered the most as the three-time champions were bowled out for 145.

The West Indies bowlers did well to exploit the conditions. Alzarri Joseph (3/39) ran through top order before Ryan John (3/38) landed crucial blows for his team.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron expressed his heartiest congratulations on behalf of the Board and Management, to the players and management , crediting the over 15 months of preparation the team underwent which he thinks “gave them the tools necessary to win the title.”
 
The five-wicket win Cameron says “was intense, but the players showed resilience and patience required to take them through to the very end. The region is proud this morning of the achievements of this team and we see a clear path to the development of our future stars.”
 
The President in expressing his joy said “it was a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift to all the people in the Caribbean.” He also wanted to highlight the contribution of the families of the young men. He noted also that the team will be appropriately recognised once they return home.