Under-19 Asia Cup: India beat Bangladesh, reach final
India have entered the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup with a one-sided win over Bangladesh. They won by 103 runs as Bangladesh were bundled out for 140. Shaik Rasheed laid the foundation of India's win with a 90*-run knock. India, who are the Under-19 Asia Cup defending champions, will face Sri Lanka in the final. They defeated Afghanistan to reach the semis.
- India have entered the Under-19 Asia Cup final for the eighth time.
- They have been unbeaten in the finals so far (1989, 2003, 2012, 2013/14, 2016, 2018, and 2019).
- In the 2012 edition, India and Pakistan shared the trophy as the final resulted in a tie.
- India will face Sri Lanka in this edition's final.
- The Lankans have ended as runners-up on four occasions.
India had a sluggish start after Bangladesh invited them to bat. The Indians managed only 49/2 in 17 overs. While Rasheed held one end, middle-order batters couldn't maximize. Indian skipper Yash Dhull departed on 26. Tail-enders Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Vicky Ostwal guided India to 243/8. Bangladesh started well but lost wickets in quick succession. Indian bowlers were on fire as Bangladesh perished on 140.
Rasheed set the tone of India's innings with a defiant knock. He slammed his first half-century in the Under-19 Asia Cup. The right-handed batter returned unbeaten on 90 off 108 balls (3 fours and 1 six). It was his second 50+ score at the Under-19 level. Rasheed shared a crucial 50-run stand with Ostwal, who smashed 28* off 18 balls (3 fours).
Left-arm spinner Ostwal was the pick of India's bowlers. He registered figures of 2/25 in 10 overs. Notably, he was the only Indian bowler to have completed the full quota of 10 overs. The likes of Hangargekar, Ravi Kumar, and Raj Bawa also took a couple of wickets each. Meanwhile, Nishant Sindhu and Kaushal Tambe chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Middle-order batter Ariful Islam was the lone warrior for Bangladesh in the run-chase. He scored 42 off 77 deliveries (1 four). While opener Mahfijul Islam registered a quickfire 26, four of the top seven batters scored in single figures. In the bowling section, left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan was impressive. The Bangladesh skipper picked up three wickets for 41 runs.
