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Rediff.com  » Cricket » After Asia Cup triumph, Zol eyes Under-19 World Cup

After Asia Cup triumph, Zol eyes Under-19 World Cup

Last updated on: January 07, 2014 18:46 IST
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Vijay ZolMaharashtra batsman Vijay Zol, who led India to the Asia Cup crown last week, said his under-19 squad will not rest on its laurels and also try and win next month's Junior World Cup in the UAE, starting February 14.

Speaking about the triumph to newspersons in Mumbai, on the eve of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final between Maharashtra and Mumbai, he said, "The team has been doing well for the last four tournaments. It has no single hero; everyone chipped in with one or the other kind of performance. It was a team effort. Just before the World Cup everyone is in good nick, so it is good for the team. We are hoping to do well in the World Cup too."

Zaheer back for Mumbai in Ranji QF vs Maharashtra

Zol, who scored a hundred in last Saturday's final against Pakistan, promised to carry the momentum to the UAE.

"It was a good experience playing against a few stronger teams over there... Pakistan, Sri Lanka, who are well-known teams in the under-19 circuit. It was good to play hard cricket there for 10 days and it was good to win the fourth tournament just before entering the World Cup. We are taking the winning momentum with us," he said.

India had lost to Pakistan by two wickets in the Group A league stage, and Zol said “beating them in the final was icing on the cake”.

“It was always on the back of our minds that we had to make a comeback,” he added.

The 19-year-old Jalna-born player rated Pakistan's bowling attack highly, adding he enjoyed playing against their pacers.

Talking about the match against Mumbai, Zol, who has recovered from the groin niggle he sustained during the Sharjah final, said he is excited about playing the defending champions.

"I am really excited to play against Mumbai for the first time at the Ranji Trophy level. It will be good for me. I am not nervous; I am quite excited about it. I am going to enjoy tomorrow, come what may. It is a great opportunity for me. I would like to enjoy it rather than get nervous or be under pressure," he said.

Maharashtra advanced to the elimination phase by finishing on top of Group C, which comprised the championship's weakest teams, and Zol said progressing to the quarter-finals is a big achievement for the team.

"The top two run-getters are from Maharashtra. It's good to be part of the team," he said, adding he will treat the quarter-final like any other game.

"I would like to take it as just another game, because these things add a bit of pressure if you keep thinking about them. So, I would like to concentrate on the basics. I would like to give my 100 per cent and let's see how it goes."

Image: Vijay Zol

Photograph: Harish Kotian

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