U-19 WC: We need to improve batting, says Ishan Kishan

Mirpur: India captain Ishan Kishan on Thursday said that the team needs to improve their batting performance despite their comfortable 79-run win over Ireland in the opening game of the ICC U-19 World Cup.

"I am not that much happy with the batting as we lost early wickets but this was the first match and I am sure we'll learn from this match and do better in upcoming matches. India has won the event thrice, so the expectation level is pretty high. We have to play professionally and try to live up to the expectations," skipper Kishan said after the match.

Kishan was out for a duck and India were reduced to 55 for four within first 20 over before Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar scored half-centuries to take them to a decent total.

The skipper praised Sarfaraz and Washington for their century partnership.

"We lost early wickets but runs were done by Sarfaraz and Washington who had an excellent partnership. The fielding effort was great as we had two run-outs at the start and then, the bowlers hit the right areas," the opener said.

IPL star Sarfaraz was not satisfied with his 74 as he felt that he could have scored more.

"I should have scored more because I had settled in well," he said.

"Hopefully, I will do better in the remaining matches. But it is good to start the tournament with a win," the burly UP batsman said.

Ireland captain Jack Tector chose to look at the defeat positively.

"We started the game very well with the ball and then also had a few partnerships which bodes well for the future," Irish skipper said.