India Under-19s vs. Sri Lanka Under-19s – Asian Cricket Council - 2nd Semi-Final - Recap
India U-19s progressed to finals of the Asia Cup, setting up a clash with arch-rivals Pakistan, after handing a comprehensive 6-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka U-19s during the second semi-final, being played at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
Sri Lankans never looked in control of the match as the Indian bowlers, who are not among the best at this level, managed to restrict them to 244 for 7 on a batting friendly Kinrara pitch. Considering the tone of the competition, the Lankans seemed short of 40-50 runs, which eventually proved crucial when the Men in Blue reached the target with seventeen balls to spare.
Knowing well thahttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472 they don’t have a big total to defend against powerful Indian batting line up, the Islanders came strong with the ball and took an attacking approach to dislodge the opposition, but Indian batsmen played smartly and weathered the initial Lankan storm before putting their foot on the paddle.
Indian skipper, Unmukt Chand, guided the chase and scored the best innings from his team in the tournament, hitting a brilliant 116. Chand has now scored 249 runs in the tournament at an average of 62.25. He was well complimented by Vijay Zol, who scored 54 runs in a third-wicket partnership of 105 runs.
Earlier, Sandun Weerakkody (73) and Niroshan Dickwella (66) drove the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 innings with a 113-run fifth-wicket stand. The pair built the innings after vice-captain Angelo Jayasinghe was run out at 26 with the score at 121 for 4 in the 34th over. The only other notable contribution came from the opener Pabasara Waduge, who managed 45.
Weerakkody continued his impressive run as the most successful Lankan batsman in the tournament, collecting 184 runs at 61.33.
For India, Rush Kalaria was the most expensive bowler, conceding 55 runs in 8 overs without a wicket. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sandeep-Sharma-c88505 and Vikas Mishra claimed one scalp each for 46 and 44 runs respectively. Baba Aparajith was the pick, taking 2 wickets for only 29 runs in his 10 overs.
Manan Vohra (17) was the only scare for the Men in Blue, but a second-wicket stand of 65 between Chand and Aparajith (23) gave a solid foundation for remaining batters. The skipper was also assisted by the Lankan fielders as he was dropped twice (2 & 56) on way to his century, ensuring that his side were well ahead.
Tharindu Kaushal took two wickets for 60 runs and Captain Sanitha de Mel and Lahiru Madushanka grabbed one wicket each while conceding 54 and 34 runs respectively.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745 by 151 runs in the first semi-final on Thursday.
Sami Aslam has emerged to be the highest scorer of the tournament with 327 runs at a phenomenal average of 109, while in bowling; http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Nawaz-c77155 has been a thorn in the opponents flesh, claiming nine wickets.
India will also rely on its strong batting lineup, but http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 enjoys an edge over their traditional rivals based on their bowling performances.
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