India set the standard

Ashok Menaria (left) and Mandeep Singh show their delight after guiding India to an opening victory against Afghanistan

Under-19 World Cup holders India began the defence of their crown in dominant fashion as they dismissed Afghanistan with an eight-wicket win on the opening day of the tournament in New Zealand.

After winning the toss at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln and asking Afghanistan to bat, the underdogs were indebted to captain Noor-ul-Haq’s 61 from 119 balls as they slipped to 118 all out.

India’s opening pair of Saurabh Netravalkar and Sandeep Sharma, who bowled 20 overs straight through, shared three wickets while there were also two wickets apiece for paceman Jaidev Unadkat and left-arm spinners Gaurav Jathar and Manan Sharma.

Both sides are in England’s group and India laying down a formidable marker as they cantered to a target of 119 in 25.2 overs.

Mandeep Singh contributed 51 not out in only 63 balls - including a stylish six to end proceedings.

Elsewhere, a superb all-round display from Babar Azam helped Pakistan to a handy 40-run victory over West Indies at Palmerston North.

Azam hammered 129 from 131 deliveries, including 14 fours and a six, and was helped by skipper Azeem Ghumman’s 49 as Pakistan surged up to 297 for seven.

West Indies’ openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Trevon Griffith went immediately on the attack as they racked up a century quick-fire partnership, however when the latter fell to Usman Qadir - son of Pakistan legend Abdul - having clubbed a remarkable 84 from 55 deliveries their chase fell away.

Babar chipped in with two quick wickets as West Indies then collapsed to 257 all out as Braithwaite carried his bat to end 92 not out.

In the day’s other two games Canada shocked Zimbabwe by edging to a 10-run win at the Village Green in Christchurch while South Africa easily surpassed a target of 217 to win by five wickets against Ireland at Queenstown Events Centre.