Brief Scores: India U19 (230/2 in 36.5 overs) beat Afghanistan U19 (227/8 in 50 overs) by 8 wickets in Al Amerat.
India are set for another high-voltage showdown against Pakistan after booking their place in the Under-19 Asia Cup final with a commanding eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in Al Amerat on Thursday.
Skipper Lakshya Raichandani led from the front with a brilliant 93 off 90 balls as India chased down Afghanistan’s 228-run target in just 36.5 overs. Aaryavir Sehwag also struck a half-century, helping India set up a blockbuster summit clash against their arch-rivals on Saturday.
India vs Afghanistan, U19 Asia Cup semifinal Highlights
Pakistan had earlier stormed into the final with a nine-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh. After bowling Bangladesh out for 138 in 31.4 overs, Pakistan completed the chase in just 21.5 overs, finishing at 141 for one. Hayam Khan top-scored with 69, while Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 64. Rizwanullah starred with the ball, claiming five wickets for 30 runs.
The final will be the second meeting between India and Pakistan in this year’s tournament. India will be eager to settle scores after suffering a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat in their group-stage encounter on Diwaliwhen Hamza Zahoor struck an unbeaten century to snatch victory.
There is also unfinished business from last year’s final, where Sameer Minhas’ magnificent 171 powered Pakistan to the title. Having lost the 2024 final to Bangladesh and the 2025 summit clash to Pakistan, India will be desperate to end their recent final hoodoo and reclaim the crown.
INDIA’S BOWLERS KEEP AFGHANISTAN IN CHECK
India produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Afghanistan to 227 for eight in their 50 overs. Having opted to bat, Afghanistan would have hoped to post a total closer to 270, but India’s bowlers ensured they never managed to build sustained momentum.
Ishan Sood was particularly impressive, finishing with three wickets for 43 runs in nine overs. The spinners also kept things tight in the middle overs, with Yashbardhan Chauhan claiming one wicket for 26 runs in seven overs and Manal Chauhan conceding just 31 in his eight overs.
Noman Salarzai was Afghanistan’s standout batter, scoring 51 off 78 deliveries, with two fours and two sixes. He held the innings together after the early setbacks, while Subhan Zakhail provided some support with 31 off 44 balls, including four fours and a six. Zakhail was bowled by Yashbardhan in the 20th over as India broke a developing partnership.
Salarzai eventually fell to Arjun Rajput, who had him caught at long-on. Shah Faisal Rahimi also scored 51, off 72 balls, but his dismissal to Ishan’s yorker in the 49th over dented Afghanistan’s hopes of a late surge.
Aryan Savsani chipped in with two wickets, including the important dismissals of Amir Hamza and Tahir Sarwary, finishing with figures of 2 for 29. Arjun returned 1 for 20 in four overs, while Kavya Patel picked up one wicket for 38 runs. India’s regular strikes and control in the middle overs ensured Afghanistan finished well short of their intended target.
LAKSHYA AND SEHWAG PUT INDIA IN CONTROL
India’s chase got off to a commanding start, with Lakshya and Sehwag stitching together a 117-run opening partnership. While Sehwag took his time to settle in, the skipper set the tempo with an aggressive approach, finding the boundaries regularly and keeping the required run rate under control.
Sehwag played the supporting role before shifting gears as the partnership grew. He brought up his half-century off 57 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. However, just when India seemed to be cruising, he fell against the run of play.
Noor Ali Niazi surprised him with a short delivery that climbed outside off. Sehwag went for a slash but got a thick top edge, with Faridullah Ihsas taking a good catch at backward point. He departed for 51 off 57 balls, but had already put India firmly on course for victory.
VINEETH HELPS INDIA SEAL THE FINAL SPOT
Lakshya continued the good work alongside No. 3 VK Vineeth. The duo kept the scoreboard moving, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Lakshya brought up his fifty and went on to make a fluent 93 off 90 balls, striking 13 fours and a six.
The captain looked set for a century but was unlucky to miss out in the 32nd over. Attempting to clear the infield against Sohail Khan, he failed to get enough elevation and was caught by Mohammad Ali at mid-off.
Vineeth ensured there were no further hiccups. He scored an unbeaten 57 off 62 balls, while Yashbardhan chipped in with 16 not out off 14 deliveries. Vineeth sealed the win in style, pulling Noor Ali Niazi for a six as India reached the target with 79 balls to spare.
Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s batters. Noor Ali Niazi and Sohail Khan picked up a wicket each, but the rest of the attack went wicketless. Their inability to break the opening partnership proved costly, as India dominated the chase from the outset.
With Lakshya leading from the front and India’s bowling attack delivering a disciplined performance, the stage is now set for another India-Pakistan final. India will have a chance to avenge their group-stage defeat and reclaim the title, while Pakistan will look to repeat their success from last year.
– Ends
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