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DUBAI: A clinical bowling effort, followed by Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s gutsy half-centuries, propelled India to a victory over Sri Lanka in the first semi-final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup here at the ICC Academy on Friday.
Set 139 in a match reduced to 20 overs due to rain, India chased the target on the loss of two wickets with two overs remaining.
Skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were back in the hutch inside 3.3 overs. The former managed just six off eight while the latter was caught for nine from six balls.
As a result, India were 25-2 with Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra at the crease.
The duo put the Men in Blue’s chase back on track with an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the third wicket that saw them over the line.
Malhotra struck four boundaries and two sixes in his 61 from 45, while Aaron George made 58 off 49 with the aid of four boundaries and a six.
For Sri Lanka, Rasith Nimsara picked up two wickets.
Earlier, the Indian captain won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first.
But the Islanders’ shambolic batting display limited them to 138-8 at the end of their 20 overs.
India bowlers were on top from the start as they reduced Sri Lanka to 28-3 in 5.3 overs before captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenatigala tried to stabilize the innings with a 45-run partnership.
The pair brought the score to 73-4 in 11.1 overs before a lower-order collapse saw them reeling at the end of their innings.
Chamika Heenatigala remained the highest scorer with 42 from 38, hitting three boundaries while Vimath Dinsara 32 off 29 balls included four fours.
For India, it was a combined bowling effort with Henil Patel and Kanishk Chouhan leading the wickets chart. The duo picked up two wickets each, while Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, and Kishan Singh picked up one each.
The final will be played on 21 December between India and Pakistan at the ICCA Dubai.
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