A dominant batting display and ruthless bowling send India into a high-voltage Under-19 Asia Cup final against arch-rivals Pakistan.
India Under-19 produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in a rain-affected semifinal, setting up a blockbuster Under-19 Asia Cup final clash against Pakistan in Dubai.
After rain reduced the contest to 20 overs per side, India’s disciplined bowling attack continued its impressive tournament run, restricting Sri Lanka to 138 for eight. The Indian bowlers struck early, reducing Sri Lanka to 28 for three within the first six overs, putting immediate pressure on the batting side.
Sri Lanka briefly recovered through skipper Vimath Dinsara, who scored 32, and Chamika Heenatigala, who added 42, as the pair stitched together a stabilising partnership. A late cameo from Sethmika Seneviratne, who struck 30 off 22 balls, helped Sri Lanka push past the 135-run mark. For India, Kanishk Chauhan and Henil Patel picked up two wickets each to keep the scoring under control.
Chasing 139, India suffered an early wobble as teenage IPL prospects Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were dismissed cheaply by pacer Rasith Nimsara. However, vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George quickly took charge of the innings.
Malhotra played with flair and authority, finishing unbeaten on 61 from 45 deliveries, mixing elegant flicks with powerful pulls. George, once again proving his value as India’s crisis man, anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 58 off 49 balls. Their unbroken 114-run partnership for the third wicket ensured India cruised home in just 18 overs.
India’s eighth appearance in an Under-19 Asia Cup final now sets the stage for a fiery showdown with Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the other semifinal. The final marks the first India-Pakistan Under-19 Asia Cup title clash in 11 years, adding extra intensity to an already historic rivalry.
