TOWNSVILLE: India pulled off a thrilling 9-run victory over New Zealand and cruise into the final of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup here today.

India has reached to the final of the ICC event, where they will take on Australia on August 26.

This is India’s fourth appearance in the finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup (2000, 2006, 2008, 2012).

A target of 210 was never a tall-order for the Black Caps colts but all-rounder Aparajith (1/29) and the young sardar from Mumbai Harmeet (2/30) stifled the set New Zealand pair of Cam Fletcher (53) and O’Donell (29) in the middle overs to set it up for the Indians.

While New Zealand lost the first four wickets for 63 runs, Carter-O’Donell duo put on 56 runs for the fifth wicket without much fuss. It looked as if New Zealand were cruising along towards victory before Harmeet-Aparajith took the turning wicket of kiwis.

For the Kiwis, left-arm spinner Ben Horne was the top wicket-taker, picking up three for 23 in six overs, while medium pacer Matthew Quinn managed a couple of scalps.