Unbeaten half-centuries from Aaron George (58) and Vihaan Malhotra (61) powered India Under-19s to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Under-19s with two overs to spare in their rain-affected Asia Cup semi-final played at the ICC Academy Grounds in Dubai yesterday.
The match was reduced to 20 overs per side due to wet ground conditions. Invited to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 138 for 8, a total that proved insufficient despite an early breakthrough by their bowlers.
India lost both openers cheaply, with captain Ayush Mhatre (7) and star batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi (9) falling to paceman Rasith Nimsara. However, George and Malhotra took control thereafter, adding an unbroken 114-run stand for the second wicket to seal the chase comfortably.
George, batting at No.3, continued his fine form by registering his third successive half-century, scoring 58 off 49 balls with four fours and a six. He was well supported by left-hander Malhotra, who struck 61 off 45 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as India reached the target in 18 overs to book their place in the final.
Earlier, Sri Lanka once again struggled at the start, losing three wickets for 28 runs inside the first six overs. Opener Viran Chamuditha struck a six and two fours in his 19 off 11 balls but failed to build on the start.
Captain Vimath Dinsara (32 off 29 balls, four fours) and Chamika Heenatigala steadied the innings with a 45-run fourth-wicket stand. Heenatigala was the standout batter for Sri Lanka, scoring 42 off 38 balls with three fours. He later combined with No.8 Sethmika Seneviratne to add a fighting 52 runs for the seventh wicket. Seneviratne chipped in with a valuable 30 off 22 balls, including two fours and a six, to lift Sri Lanka to 138 for 8. For India, Henil Patel and off-spinner Kanishk Chauhan claimed two wickets apiece.
George and Malhotra were jointly named Players of the Match.
In the other semi-final, Pakistan Under-19s registered an eight-wicket win over defending champions Bangladesh at the Sevens Stadium, Dubai. The rain-reduced contest was cut to 27 overs per side, with Bangladesh bowled out for 121 in 26.3 overs. Pakistan chased down the target in 16.3 overs, losing only two wickets.
Sameer Minhas top-scored with 69 off 57 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, while paceman Abdul Subhan returned figures of 4 for 20 to claim the Player of the Match award.
India will meet Pakistan in the Asia Cup Under-19 final tomorrow (21) at the ICC Academy Grounds.
Chief Scores
Sri Lanka U19 – 138/8 (20 overs) Viran Chamuditha 19, Vimath Dinsara 32, Chamika Heenatigala 42, Sethmika Seneviratne 30; Henil Patel 2/31, Kanishk Chauhan 2/36
India U19 – 139/2 (18 overs) Aaron George 58*, Vihaan Malhotra 61*; Rasith Nimsara 2/31