Pakistan and India Set Up Under-19 Asia Cup Final With Semi-Final Wins in Oman

Pakistan and India will meet in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup after both won their semi-finals comfortably at Al Amerat in Oman on Thursday, 12 November. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by nine wickets, and India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets. The final is scheduled for Saturday, 14 November, at the same venue.

Rizwanullah sets up Pakistan’s win

Bangladesh won the toss and batted, but were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs. Rizwanullah took 5 for 30 from his eight overs and was named player of the match. Abdullah Al Muhi made 50 from 45 balls, the only half-century of the innings, and Mohammad Sayyam added two wickets.

Pakistan’s chase took only 21.5 overs. Hayam Khan scored 69 from 72 balls and Usman Khan finished unbeaten on 64, and Pakistan reached 141 for 1 with 169 balls to spare.

Raichandani leads India home

In the second semi-final, Afghanistan made 227 for 8 from their 50 overs. Two of their batters reached 51, Shah Faisal Rahimi among them, and Ishan Sood was India’s best bowler with 3 for 43.

India’s captain Lakshya Raichandani then made 93 from 90 balls, with 13 fours and a six, and was named player of the match. Aaryavir Sehwag added 51 and VK Vineeth was 57 not out as India reached 230 for 2 in 36.5 overs, with 79 balls in hand. Sohail Khan was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler with 1 for 56.

A repeat of the group meeting

The final is a rematch of the two sides’ Group A game on 8 November, which Pakistan won by three wickets after Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten hundred. Pakistan went through the group stage unbeaten, with wins over the UAE, India and Nepal, while India’s other group wins came against Nepal and the UAE.

Afghanistan won all three of their Group B games, against Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, but could not get past India in the knockout stage. Bangladesh, who beat Sri Lanka and Malaysia in the group, were outplayed by Pakistan from the first innings of their semi-final.