Captain Unmukt Chand (116) slammed a sparkling century as India spanked Sri Lanka by six wickets to storm into the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup. Chand, who opened with Manan Vohra (17), led from the front with a strokeful innings as India chased down the target of 245 with 2.5 overs to spare at the Kinrara Academy Oval. India will now take on Pakistan in the final on Sunday. A powerful batting display set the tone for Pakistan’s commanding victory in the first semifinal at the Kinrara Academy Oval. In Sunday’s final, Pakistan will take on the winners of Friday’s second semifinal, between India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, opting to bat, amassed 296 for 3 from their 50 overs on the back of three half-centuries. Needing nearly six runs an over, Afghanistan were shot out for 145, Azizullah, the new-ball bowler, doing the bulk of the damage with figures of 4 for 44. Sami Aslam and Babar Azam, the captain, got Pakistan off to the perfect start, putting on 69 for the first wicket, a platform on which the rest of the batsmen built admirably. Pakistan were well served by stands of 76 for the second wicket, 71 for the third and an unbroken 80 for the fourth as they batted Afghanistan out of the game. Aslam and Umar Waheed both made 77, the latter at better than a run a ball, and Imam-ul-Haq, batting at No. 3, chipped in with 69. Afghanistan were rocked by Azizullah and Ehsan Adil, his new-ball partner, and slumped to 55 for four midway through the 11th over. Mohibullah Paak waged a lone battle in top-scoring with 41, but it was too little to make a genuine dent in Pakistan’s progress. The bedrock of India’s run chase was a steady third-wicket partnership of 105 between Chand and Vijay Zol (54). Chand faced 141 balls and hit 11 fours and a six during his innings. Chand was the last man out in the 47th over but by then he had taken India to the threshold of victory at 239 for four. Akshdeep Nath (15 not out) and Sanju Samson (5 not out) then took India to 247 for four in 47.1 overs with the latter ending the run chase with a four. Zol consumed 71 balls for his 54 and hit six fours before he was out in the 39th over. For Sri Lanka, Tharindu Kaushal took two wickets for 20 runs while Sanitha del Mel and Lahiru Madushanka got one apiece. Earlier, opting to bat, Sri Lanka never really had a grip on the game with the Indian bowlers keeping them in check.
People who worked hard will won the match.
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