Lakshya Raichandani led from the front as India Under-19 beat Afghanistan Under-19 by eight wickets in Thursday’s semi-final to reach the Asia Cup final. His 93 set up a chase that India completed with 79 balls remaining. Aaryavir Sehwag and VK Vineeth added half-centuries, giving the batting effort support beyond the captain’s innings.
Afghanistan finished on 227/8 after their 50 overs at Al Amerat. India answered with 230/2 in 36.5 overs, taking control through the top order rather than leaving the target to a late scramble.
An opening stand that put India ahead
Raichandani and Sehwag added 117 before the first wicket fell in the 17th over. Sehwag made 51 from 57 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes. His contribution meant India had already taken a substantial bite out of the target when Afghanistan made their first breakthrough.
Raichandani continued to move the chase forward. He struck 13 fours and a six in his 90-ball stay, reaching 93 before Sohail Khan dismissed him. India were 194/2 when he departed in the 32nd over, leaving the batters who followed a far more manageable task.
Vineeth takes the chase home
Vineeth stayed unbeaten on 57 from 62 deliveries, while Yashbardhan Chauhan finished with 16 from 14. Their presence at the end completed a performance built around contributions from each of India’s first four batters.
Afghanistan’s wickets went to Sohail and Noor Ali Niazai. Sohail returned 1/56 from nine overs; Niazai took 1/58 in 7.5. India also received 13 extras, comprising 11 wides and two no-balls.
Raichandani was Player of the Match. The hundred narrowly escaped him, but the innings had already done its central job: giving India the platform to turn a semi-final opportunity into a place in the title match. With three half-century contributions across the top order, the chase offered more than one individual success.
