With a comprehensive 97-run win against Sri Lanka Under-19, India Under-19 sailed into the U19 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2016 final. After Anmolpreet Singh and Sarfaraz Khan set the stage for a solid total, Armaan Jaffer’s late cameo helped India set the opposition a 268-run target. The Avesh Khan-led attack then skittled the opposition out for 170 in 42.4 overs.
Coming together at 27 for two, Anmolpreet and Sarfaraz built a 90-run partnership to shape the Indian innings. While they kept the scoreboard ticking with singles and twos, the batsmen also hit boundaries at regular intervals to build momentum.
With India on 123, Sarfaraz departed attempting to pull Asitha Fernando, only to be caught in the mid-on region. MS Washington Sundar, who then came to crease partnered Anmolpreet for 70 runs as they looked to increase the run rate. Sundar batted at a brisk pace to up the momentum. However, as the partnership began to blossom, Thilan Nimesh accounted for the top-order bat.
Jaffer, who then came to the crease, took on the Sri Lankan bowlers and boosted India's run rate. His 16-ball 29 comprising a six and three boundaries seized the momentum in India's favour and set the stage for a formidable total. However, with 19 balls still left in the innings, the middle-order bat perished handing a catch to mid-wicket with India on 241. Building on the onslaught, quick-fire knocks by Mahipal Lomror (11 off 8) and Mayank Dagar (17 off 10) helped India to 267.
Defending the target, Avesh claimed Avishka Fernando lbw and then helped run out Kaveen Bandara to leave Sri Lanka at 13 for two. The Sri Lankan colts then lost captain Charith Asalannka to Rahul Batham 29 runs later. While they looked to keep up with the required run rate, the Lankans continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Kanmindu Mendis perished top-edging Dagar to short fine-leg while S Ahsan was run out leaving the team wobbling at 108 for five. With SL struggling, Avesh dealt another blow at a crucial juncture to tip the balance further in his team's favour. He forced an edge from Vishad Randika to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
India continued to tighten the noose around SL as wickets fell in quick successions from there on. Wanidu Hasaranga perished taking the aerial route to Khaleel Ahmed while Sundar disrupted Damitha Silva's stumps to leave SL at 170 for eight. In the next over, Dagar claimed Nimesh and Asitha to bowl India to victory.
Brief scores: India U-19s 267/9 in 50 overs (A Singh 72, S Khan 59, MSW Sundar 43, A Fernando 4/43) beat Sri Lanka U-19s (K Mendis 39, S Ashan 39, M Dagar 3/21, A Khan 2/41) by 97 runs.
Man of the Match: Anmolpreet Singh for his well compiled 92-ball 72.
