Published: Dec 20, 2016, 12:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 20, 2016, 10:06 PM (IST)
Good Morning, शुभ प्रभात, සුභ උදෑසනක්! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog of the 1st semi-final match between India U19 and Afghanistan U19 of the ongoing ACC U19 Asia Cup 2016 at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday. We will be bringing you live updates from this crucial tie. India are on the positive side easing through the semi-final after ruling the top spot in Group A. Meanwhile, Afghanistan are second in Group B in the points table, who managed to win just two matches in comparison to India, winning three. Afghanistan lost just a single match against Bangladesh and hold 9 points.
India hold an impressive run rate of +2.55 while Afghanistan hold run rate of +1.42. India undoubtedly are the favourites to win this match after winning all the matches so far in the tournament. India posted 289 for 8 in their 50 overs and managed to bundle Malaysia out for just 54 inside 23 overs. India’s bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti has been in the spotlight for his innings. Meanwhile, their top batsmen Prithvi Shaw, Het Patel and skipper Abhishek Sharma are the players to vouch for post their fifties in the previous match. The series of victory followed, first against Nepal and lastly Sri Lanka.
Although Afghanistan lost against Bangladesh, they bounced back with super victory against Pakistan by 21 runs while thrashes Singapore bundling the out for 73 and then chasing the total in mere 25 balls. India have been the defending champions of the tournament earlier defeating their arch-rivals Pakistan at UAE. Considering they are the only unbeaten side in the tournament so far, India have a lot to be wary about after Afghanistan’s current form. Chances of Afghanistan surprising India are high on the cards. Yet another nail-biting event can be expected.
Squads:
India: Abhishek Sharma (c), Het Patel (wk), Himanshu Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Chahar, Harvik Desai, Priyam Garg, Ayush Jamwal, Salman Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prithvi Shaw, Shiva Singh, Yash Thakur, Heramb Parab, Anand Tiwari.
Afghanistan: Naveen-ul-Haq (c), Shamsurrahman Wali Khail (wk), Zahir Khan, Ikram Faizi, Naveed Obaid, Tariq Stanikzai, Yousuf Zazai, Darwish Rasooli, Imran Mohammadi, Mujeeb, Nisar Wahdat, Parwiz, Qais Ahmad, Rohed Janzai, Zahidullah, Ibrahim Zadran.
