India vs Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup final after Lakshya’s special blows away Afghanistan

Brief Results: India U19 (230/2 in 36.5 overs) beat Afghanistan U19 (227/8 in 50 overs) by 8 wickets at Al Amerat.

India are set for another high-stakes clash against Pakistan after booking their place in the U-19 Asia Cup final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan at Al Amerat on Thursday.

Captain Lakshya Raichandani led from the front with a brilliant 93 off 90 balls as India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 228 runs in just 36.5 overs. Aaryavir Sehwag also hit a half-century to help India set up a sensational summit clash against their arch-rivals on Saturday.

India vs Afghanistan, U-19 Asia Cup semi-final match

Pakistan had earlier made it to the final with a nine-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh. After Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs, Pakistan completed the chase in just 21.5 overs as they finished on 141 for one. Hayam Khan top-scored with 69 while Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 64. Rizwanullah played with the ball and took five wickets in 30 overs.

The final will be the second meeting between India and Pakistan in this year’s tournament. India will be eager to settle scores after suffering a a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat in their group stage encounter on Diwaliwhen Hamza Zahoor hit an unbeaten century to clinch victory.

There is also unfinished business from last year’s final, where Sameer Minhas’ superb 171 propelled Pakistan to the title. After losing the 2024 final to Bangladesh and the 2025 summit clash to Pakistan, India will be desperate to end their recent finals hoodoo and reclaim the crown.

VK Vineeth completes semi-final win! Now it’s time for the finale! Watch Pakistan vs India in DP World Men’s U19 Asia Cup, November 14 from 10:30 am, LIVE on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV TV channels. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #PAKvIND— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 12, 2026

INDIAN BOWLERS KEEP AFGHANISTAN HUNGRY

India produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Afghanistan to 227 for eight in 50 overs. Had Afghanistan opted to bat, they would have hoped to get their total close to 270, but the Indian bowlers ensured they never managed to gain any sustained momentum.

Ishan Sood was particularly impressive, finishing with three wickets for 43 runs in nine overs. The spinners also held things in the middle overs with Yashbardhan Chauhan taking one wicket for 26 runs in seven overs and Manal Chauhan conceding just 31 in his eight overs.

Noman Salarzai was the standout batsman for Afghanistan, scoring 51 off 78 deliveries, with two fours and two sixes. After early setbacks, he held the innings together while Subhan Zakhail provided some support with a 31 off 44 balls, including four fours and a six. Zakhail was bowled by Yashbardhan in the 20th over as India broke the developing partnership.

Salarzai eventually succumbed to Arjun Rajput, who had him caught at long-on. Shah Faisal Rahimi also scored 51, off 72 balls, but his dismissal to Ishan’s yorker in the 49th over dented Afghanistan’s hopes of a late surge.

Aryan Savsani took two wickets, including important dismissals of Amir Hamza and Tahir Sarwary, to finish with figures of 2 for 29. Arjun returned 1 for 20 in four overs, while Kavya Patel claimed one wicket in 38 runs. Regular Indian strikes and control in medium operations ensured that Afghanistan ended up well short of its intended objective.

LAKSHYA AND SEHWAG GIVE INDIA CONTROL

India’s chase got off to a flying start with Lakshya and Sehwag putting on a 117 opening partnership. While Sehwag took time to settle in, the skipper set the pace with an aggressive approach, finding boundaries regularly and keeping the required run rate in check.

Sehwag played a supporting role before shifting gears as the partnership grew. He brought up his half-century off 57 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. However, just when India seemed to be cruising, he fell against the run of play.

Lakshya Raichandani does not miss when he is right in the slot. Watch #AFGvIND at the DP World Men’s U19 Asia Cup, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV TV channels. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 12, 2026

Noor Ali Niazi surprised him with a short delivery that climbed outside off. Sehwag went for the chop but got a strong top edge with Faridullah Ihsas taking a good catch at backward point. He departed for 51 off 57 balls but had already steered India to victory.

VINETH HELPS INDIA CLOSE THE FINAL PLACE

Lakshya continued his good work alongside No. 3 VK Vineetha. The duo kept the scoreboard moving, rotating strikes and punishing short deliveries. Lakshya brought up his fifty and continued fluently for 93 off 90 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six.

The skipper looked set for a century but was unlucky to overshoot in the 32nd over. Attempting to clear the infield against Sohail Khan, he failed to gain enough altitude and was caught by Mohammad Ali at mid-off.

Vineeth made sure there would be no more hiccups. He scored an unbeaten 57 off 62 balls while Yashbardhan came into the game with 16 not out from 14 balls. Vineth sealed the victory in style, removing Noor Ali Niazi for a six as India reached the target with 79 balls to spare.

Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting. Noor Ali Niazi and Sohail Khan picked up a wicket each but the rest of the attack was wicketless. Their inability to break the opening partnership proved costly as India dominated the chase from the start.

With Lakshya leading from the front and the Indian bowling attack putting in a disciplined performance, another India-Pakistan final is now in store. India will have a chance to avenge their group stage defeat and reclaim the title, while Pakistan will be looking to repeat their success last year.

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