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Yash Dhull-led India register a thumping win by 103 runs over Bangladesh in the semi-final of Under-19 Asia Cup 2021. Chasing a total of 244, Bangladesh batting lineup crumbled and got bundled out for 140 in 39th over of the run chase. For India, Shaik Rasheed won the ‘Player of the match’ award for his unbeaten 90 to help India post 243/8 after being asked to bat first by Bangladesh.
For India, each of the six bowlers contributed to Bangladesh’s collapse. Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravi Kumar, Raj Bawa and Vicky Otswal took two wickets each whereas Nishant Sindhu and Kaushal Tambe picked up one wicket each. For Bangladesh, Ariful Islam top-scored with 42 runs off 77 deliveries. Losing too many wickets derailed Bangladesh’s run chase early on and Indian bowlers choked the boundaries in the middle overs to bundle them out with 11.3 overs to spare.
Earlier India got off to a slow start. Rasheed kept the scoreboard moving and shared crucial partnerships middle over batters to get India past the 200-run mark. India lost their eighth wicket for 193 in the 45th over but it was tailender Otswal who bolstered India’s scored with a 18-ball 28 cameo. Rasheed remained unbeaten for 90 off 108 deliveries but could not reach the three figures. He got most of his runs running between the wickets. His knock included just three fours and one six.
Pakistan implode to knock themselves out
With India and Pakistan playing in their respective semi-final matches, it was expected that the two teams will clash in the final. Till the first innings of both the matches, it seemed like India vs Pakistan final was on the cards but things changed very quickly in the latter’s run chase.
Chasing a below par target of 148, Pakistan’s top order collapsed as they were reduced to 10/3 in the sixth over. Muhammad Shehzad and skipper Qasim Akram tried to steady the ship as the required run rate was still under control. But Akram fell in the 19th over followed by Shehzad in the 26th over.
Pakistan were reduced to 70/6 in the 31st over but the hope was alive with Ahmad Khan on one end. Sri Lankan skipper Dunith Wellalage returned to the attack and got Ahmad out for 36. In the death overs, the run chase got out of grasp and 148-run target seemed like a daunting total. Pakistan got bundled out for 125 with three balls to go in the innings. Treveen Mathew was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 14 runs in 10 overs including three maidens.
India to face Sri Lanka in final
India will take on Sri Lanka in the final of U-19 Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on December 31.
