Pakistan gave an exemplary performance on the field

Fawad Alam and Tariq Mahmood batted beautifully as Pakistan successfully chased 170 to beat India in the under-19 World Cup semi-final in Bangladesh.

India's bowlers contained Pakistan well until Alam and Mahmood put on 88 in 17 overs to take their team to their target of 170 in the 45th over.

India, batting first in the day-night match, could muster just 169 before being bowled out in the 48th over.

Pakistan off-spinner Salman Qadir took 2-27 in his allotted 10 overs.

Having won the toss, India aimed to set the tone with the bat early on. But it did not happen quite that way.

Ali Imran claimed the early wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, and soon afterwards Praful Waghela looked unfortunate to be given out lbw off the impressive Riaz Afridi.

Robin Uthappa and Rakesh Solanki put on 49 for India's third wicket and they were helped by Pakistan putting down a chance in the slips and missing a possible run-out.

But Salman then produced an inspired spell of bowling that would have made his father, former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, proud.

He removed Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik in quick succession and the innings never recovered momentum, with the highest score Uthappa's 33 at the top of the order.

Mansoor Amjad took just one wicket but was economical

But the problems India had faced in batting were replicated by Pakistan, who slumped to 20-2 before the end of the sixth over.

With runs eluding any of the top four, it was left to Salman to begin a fightback, by hitting four fours in a 35-ball effort of 24.

But when he was out the scoreboard read 83-5 and with less than 23 overs remaining, India looked strong favourites.

But Alam was not to be bowed and hit boundaries at regular intervals while the more watchful Mahmood gave him handy support.

Eventually Mahmood also began timing the ball well and profited handsomely through a variety of sweep shots.

Two Mahmood boundaries in the 45th over off Abhishek Sharma gave Pakistan the victory and they will now face either England or West Indies in the final.

In the Plate Championship semi-final, Ireland failed to overcome Australia, losing by 49 runs.

Full scorecard: Australia v Ireland

Ireland, who had won three matches and almost beaten West Indies along the way, had to follow a daunting Australia score of 240.

They reached 100 in only 15 overs, but lost some momentum when Eoin Morgan was dismissed for 65.

Australia coach Bennett King said: "Ireland played well to reach almost 300 but our bowling wasn't good enough."