Under-19 Asia Cup: India reached the final of Under-19 Asia Cup after defeating Sri Lanka, will face Pakistan

Dubai. After the excellent performance of the bowlers, thanks to the brilliant batting of Aaron George (58 not out) and Vihaan Malhotra (61 not out), India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets with 12 balls to spare in the first semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup on Friday and made it to the final where it will face arch-rival Pakistan.

Chasing the target of 139 runs, India did not have a good start and lost the wickets of both its openers, captain Ayush Mhatra (seven) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (nine) at the score of 25. At such a time of crisis, the pair of Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra handled the innings and scored runs rapidly. There was an unbeaten partnership of 114 runs for the third wicket between the two batsmen.

India won the match by scoring 139 runs for two wickets in 18 overs. Aaron George played an inning of runs (58 not out) hitting four fours and one six in 49 balls. Whereas Vihaan Malhotra scored runs (61 not out) in 45 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Rasit Nimsara took two wickets for Sri Lanka.

Earlier today, Sri Lanka had given India a target of 139 runs to win on the basis of fighting innings of Chamika Heenathigala (42), captain Vimath Dinsara (32) and Sethmika Seneviratne (30). The match, which started late due to wet ground, was reduced to 20-20 overs. India won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Sri Lanka, who came to bat, scored 138 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. Sri Lanka did not have a good start and lost three wickets at the score of 28. Dulanith Sigera (one), Viran Chamuditha (19) and Kavija Gamage (two) were out after scoring runs. After this, Chamika Heenathigala took over the innings along with captain Vimath Dinsara and tried to score runs quickly.

Meanwhile, in the 12th over, Kanishk Chauhan made Vimath Dinsara his victim (32 runs) in 29 balls. Kithma Vithanapathirana (seven) and Adam Hilmi (one) scored runs and returned to the pavilion soon after. Sethmika Seneviratne along with Chamika Heenathigala took the score beyond 100 runs.

In the last over, Henil Patel first dismissed Chamika Heenathigala (42 runs) in 38 balls. Patel also dismissed Sethmika Seneviratne (30) on the last ball of the same over. Kanishk Chauhan and Henil Patel took two wickets each for India. Deepesh Devendran, Khilan Patel and Kishan Singh dismissed one batsman each.