Raichandani's 93 takes India into U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan
India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in Oman and will meet Pakistan, who beat them in the group stage, in Saturday's final.
India will play Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final after captain Lakshya Raichandani made 93 in an eight-wicket semi-final win over Afghanistan in Al Amerat, Oman, on Thursday, The Hindu and ESPNcricinfo reported.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, in Oman. Pakistan beat India in the group stage, The Hindu reported.
Afghanistan made 227 for eight. Pacer Ishan Sood led the Indian attack with 3 for 43, and the spinners kept a hold on the middle overs. Wicketkeeper Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi both made 51 but struggled to score quickly, according to The Hindu. ESPNcricinfo's summary said India "eased past" Afghanistan and credited Raichandani and Sood with setting up the final.
India reached 230 for two in 36.5 overs. Raichandani faced 90 balls and hit 13 fours and one six. He reached his half-century off 39 balls, then batted more slowly after that, The Hindu reported. He shared an opening stand of 117 in 17 overs with Aaryavir Sehwag and added 77 for the second wicket with VK Vineeth.
Sehwag hit four sixes in his 51. The fourth, off pacer Noor Ali, brought up his fifty in 56 balls, and he was out the next ball, caught by Faridullah Ihsas at cover attempting a pull. Raichandani fell trying to lift off-spinner Sohail Khan over extra cover and was caught by Mohammad Ali, who took a diving catch.
Vineeth finished on 57 not out after reaching his fifty in 61 balls. He ended the match with a four and a six off consecutive deliveries from Noor Ali.
In the first semi-final earlier in the day, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by nine wickets. Medium pacer Rizwanullah took 5 for 30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs. Opener Abdullah Al Muhi made 50 off 45 balls, but none of the other Bangladesh batters offered much resistance, The Hindu reported.
Rizwanullah, who plays for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, has 11 wickets from four matches in the tournament. That includes 3 for 24 against India in the group match.
Pakistan's openers Usman Khan (64 not out) and Hayam Khan (69) put on 123 in 20.4 overs, and their side reached 141 in 21.5 overs.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Raichandani and Sood set up India-Pakistan final; The Hindu, U19 Asia Cup: Raichandani’s 93 sees India to final, to face Pakistan in title clash.
