Pakistan to Face India in U19 Asia Cup Final
Pakistan will face India in the U19 Asia Cup final on Saturday, November 14, after India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in the second semi-final at Al Amerat in Muscat.
The final will be a repeat of the previous edition’s title clash, which Pakistan won by 191 runs. Pakistan are the defending champions, and they reached this year’s final by beating Bangladesh by nine wickets earlier on Thursday.
India chased down Afghanistan’s 228-run target in the 37th over, losing just two wickets, to set up the meeting with their arch-rivals.
U19 Asia Cup final: India chase down 228
Afghanistan posted 227 for eight in their 50 overs despite half-centuries from Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi. Wicketkeeper Noman top-scored with 51 off 78 deliveries, while Shah Faisal also made 51 off 72 balls. Captain Sohail Khan added 36 off 44 deliveries, and Subhan Zakhail made 31 off 44 balls.
Ishan Sood led India’s bowling attack with three wickets for 43 runs in nine overs. Aryan Savsani took two wickets, while Kavya Paresh Patel, Yashbardhan Chauhan and Arjun Rajput picked up one wicket each.
India’s reply was led by captain Lakshya Raichandani, who top-scored with 93 off 90 deliveries, including 13 fours and a six. He narrowly missed a century, but his innings set up a comfortable chase.
Aaryavir Sehwag made 51 off 57 balls, striking four boundaries and as many sixes, while VK Vineeth remained unbeaten on 57 off 62 deliveries, with five fours and a six. Yashbardhan Chauhan added 16 not out off 14 balls as India sealed the win.
| Semi-final 2 | Score |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 227 for 8 in 50 overs |
| India | 230 for 2 in 36.5 overs |
| Result | India won by eight wickets |
Raichandani leads the chase
Raichandani’s 93 was the innings that shaped the match. The India captain kept the chase on track from the start, and his partnerships with Sehwag and Vineeth left Afghanistan with no way back.
Sehwag’s 51 off 57 balls kept the score moving, and Vineeth’s unbeaten 57 off 62 deliveries finished the job. India lost only two wickets in the whole chase, which shows how much control they held after the early overs.
Afghanistan had fought hard to post 227, with two fifties at the top of the order, but their total was never enough once Raichandani settled in.
Pakistan reach final as defending champions
Pakistan reached the final earlier on Thursday by beating Bangladesh by nine wickets. Rizwanullah took five wickets and Usman Khan hit an unbeaten 64 as Pakistan swept into the final.
Pakistan have now won all four of their matches in the tournament, and they enter the final as defending champions. The team is led by Farhan Yousuf, while India are led by Lakshya Raichandani.
The two sides met in the group stage on November 8, and they will now meet again with the title at stake. The previous edition’s final ended in a 191-run win for Pakistan, so India will be chasing revenge as well as the trophy.
The final will be played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Saturday, November 14. Both semi-finals were played on Thursday, November 12, which gives both teams a day to rest before the title clash.
Pakistan’s senior team is also in action at home. Saqib Khan took seven wickets on Test debut against Sri Lanka, and rain has threatened the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test. In domestic cricket, Rameez and Saifullah hit centuries for Karachi Blues in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Frequently asked questions
Who will play the U19 Asia Cup final?
Pakistan will face India in the final on Saturday, November 14, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat, Oman.
How did India reach the final?
India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in the second semi-final, chasing 228 in the 37th over after Afghanistan posted 227 for eight.
Who starred for India?
Captain Lakshya Raichandani top-scored with 93 off 90 balls. Aaryavir Sehwag made 51, VK Vineeth made 57 not out, and Ishan Sood took three wickets for 43 runs.
How did Pakistan reach the final?
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first semi-final, with Rizwanullah taking five wickets and Usman Khan hitting an unbeaten 64.
Who won the last U19 Asia Cup final?
Pakistan won the previous edition, beating India in the final by 191 runs, and they enter this year’s final as defending champions.
