Kuala Lumpur: Unmukt Chand played a captain’s knock to lead the team from the front to help India set up a final clash with Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup played here today.
Chasing a target of 244, Unmukt scored a 141 ball 116 which included 11 fours and a six to guide the team home over Sri Lanka with six wickets in hands.
The victory would now face their arch rival in a grudge match after they lost to them by one run in the first round and would look to avenge their defeat.
Starting the chase, India were down to 92-2 in 18th over but then the Unmukt along with Vijay Zol, another in form batsman joined hands to pile up 105 for third wicket which took the match away from the Lankans. Zol scored 54 of 77 deliveries laced with six fours.
Earlier batting first, Sri Lanka had a hard time facing Indian bowlers who had been quite dominating throughout the tournament and kept losing wickets at regular interval. It was the fifth wicket partnership of 103 between Sandun Weerakkody (73) and Niroshan Dickwella (66) that helped them put up a decent score on the board.
For India off spinner Baba Aparajith's was the pick of the bowlers and ended with figures of 2/29 from 10 overs.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 244/ 7 in 50 overs (Sandun Weerakkody 73, Niroshan Dickwella 66, Baba Aparajith 29-2)
India 247/4 in 47.1 overs (Unmukt Chand 116, Vijay Zol 54).
By Indian Sports News Netwotk
