India U-19 advance to fifth Youth World Cup Final
Jannatul PiealCorrespondent
Posted - 2016-02-09T18:19:25+06:00
Updated - 2016-02-09T18:19:25+06:00
India Under-19 Cricket Team, led by Ishan Kishan and coached by the great Rahul Dravid, advanced to the final of ongoing ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016 in Bangladesh on Tuesday after beating their Asian rivals Sri Lanka by 97 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
After being sent to bat first by Sri Lanka, India suffered some early blow as they lost two openers in no time. However, thanks to two half centuries by Anmolpreet Singh and Sarfaraz Khan, India posted a competitive total of 267 runs for nine on the board.
Today's was Sarfaraz's 4th half century in the tournament. He has now accumulated 304 runs in 5 innings at an impressive average of 76.00. For Sri Lanka, right-arm paceman Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers with 4/43 in 10 overs. Lahiru Kumara and Thilan Nimesh took 2 wickets each.
Sri Lanka's run chase saw a nightmarish start, as the Islanders were two wickets short inside 4 overs. They were reduced to 13/2 in 3.2 overs. Later they were in more trouble with slumping to 108/5 in 27.4 overs as the required run rate kept increasing. In the end, they were dismissed out for 170 in 42.4 overs. Left-am spinner Mayank Dagar was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 21.
India have so far been unbeaten in the tournament. This will be their fifth final in the age-level multi-starrer. Out of their previous four final campaigns, they had emerged victorious thrice. They will have to face either West Indies or the hosts Bangladesh in the final, which is due for the Valentine's Day -- Sunday, February 14.
Score in brief
India Under-19s 267 for nine in 50 overs (Anmolpreet Singh 72, Sarfaraz Khan 59, Washington Sundar 43, Armaan Jaffer 29, Asitha Fernando 4/43, Lahiru Kumara 2/50, Thilan Nimesh 2/50) beat Sri Lanka Under-19s 170 all out in 42.4 overs (Kamindu Mendis 39, Shammu Ashan 28, Vishad Randika 28, Mayank Dagar 3/21, Avesh Khan 2/41) - Jannatul Naym Pieal, Correspondent, bdcricteam.com