Captain Lakshya Raichandanis 93 off 90 balls to booked India its place against Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup final showdown. India clinched an eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second semi-final in Muscat on Thursday.
Skipper Laksharai Chandani led the front as India chased down Afghanistan’s 228-run target in just 36.5 overs.
Afghanistan chose to bat and were 143/3 in the 36th over, well placed to push on. Then three wickets fell in quick succession, with Aryan Savsani dismissing Amir Hamza and Tahir Sarwary in a single over. Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi made 51 each, and captain Sohail Khan’s unbeaten 36 took Afghanistan to 227/8. Ishan Sood was the pick of the bowlers, and Savsani finished with 2-29.
Arya Sehwag also struck a half century, helping India set the blockbuster summit clash against their arch rivals on Saturday.
The opening pair added 117 runs before Sehwag fell shortly after reaching 51 off 57 balls. VK Vineeth stayed unbeaten on 57 off 62 balls and finished the match with a six. Raichandani fell seven runs short of a century.
Pakistan await in the final
Pakistan stormed into the finale with a thrashing 9-wicket victory over Bangladesh. After bowling Bangladesh out for 138 in 31.4 overs, Pakistan completed the chase in 21.5 overs, finishing at 144 for 1. In the group stage, Pakistan had beaten India by three wickets through an unbeaten century from Hamza Zahoor. Pakistan also won the final of last year’s edition, so Saturday gives India a chance to avenge that result.