India thrash Sri Lanka by 97 runs to reach final of ICC Under-19 Cricket world Cup 2016

India thrashed Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the semi-final and have made it to the final of the ongoing ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Mayanak Dagar and Avesh Khan shared five wickets between each other which restricted Sri Lanka not chase down India’s target of 268 runs. The other dismissals were made by Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Batham and Washington Sundar. Two wickets happened by excellent fielding from the Indians resulting into run outs. Sri Lanka’s Kaminu Mendis top scored with 39 runs from 67 balls in their chase of 268 at Dhaka on Tuesday. Barring him, the other batsmen who made crucial contribution with the bat for them were wicketkeeper-batsman Vishad Randika, Shaamu Ashan and Damitha Silva who scored 38, 28 and 24 respectively. FULL SCORECARD: India vs Sri Lanka, semi-final-1 of ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup

Sri Lanka’s chase began with losing a wicket in the very first over. Avesh went full and straight on the leg, the ball went through the gap between Fernando’s pad and bat to hit his leg straight. The Umpire took no time in raising his finger. Three overs later, Kaveen Bandara became a victim of a good effort of Sarfaraz Khan on field. Bandara pushed a delivery off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling towards backward square and immediately ran for a single. While he tried for a second, he went on to stretch and dive but Sarfaraz was quick enough to collect it, throw it to the keeper who removed the bails without wasting any time.

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Sri Lanka found themselves into serious trouble when spinner Rahul Batham dismissed their skipper Charith Asalanka in the 10th over. Batham who has been very economical for India in the World Cup struck in his very first over of the match. The batsman pulled it needlessly, did not connect well and Mahipal Lomror efficiently ran from mid-on to deep to complete a superb catch.

In between India were in a tense situation when Batham and Lomror walked off the field limping. However, while Batham came back on the field, Lomror did not. And ahead of the final, Lomror’s injury can ruin India’s fairytale campaign so far in the World Cup. A couple of deliveries later, Indian skipper, Ishan Kishan was also seen struggling with fitness and when camera went on their coach Rahul Dravid, it was clearly seen he was worried.

Earlier, India were put to bat first. India happened to reach this competitive total of 267, courtesy of a responsible knock from Anmopreet Singh who came in one-down. It was his second appearance for India Under-19. The 17-year-old boy came in when India was under immense pressure and he went on to play a brilliant innings of 72 runs off 92 balls in a World Cup semi-final. He shared a partnership of worth 96 runs off 21 overs with Sarfaraz Khan for the 3rd wicket. The latter was however dismissed just after he brought up his 4th half-century of this tournament.

Brief scores:

India Under-19 267 for 9 (Anmolpreet Singh 72, Sarfaraz Khan 59; Asitha Fernando 4 for 43) beat Sri Lanka Under-19 (Kaminu Mendis 39; Mayank Dagar 3 for 21) by 97 runs.

Man of the Match: Anmolpreet Singh

Full Scorecard