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U19 Asia Cup Final: India vs Pakistan Title Clash Set After Sri Lanka Win

India's U19 team cruised into the Asia Cup final with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka. The match was shortened by rain, but India's bowlers set up the victory by restricting the opposition. A brilliant unbroken century stand from Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George then sealed the chase. This sets up a thrilling final against Pakistan, reviving a classic rivalry from the 2014 edition.

Key Points: India U19 Beat Sri Lanka, Face Pakistan in Asia Cup Final

  • Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George hit unbeaten fifties in a 114-run match-winning partnership
  • India's bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 138/8 in a rain-reduced 20-over contest
  • The final against Pakistan is a repeat of the 2014 U19 Asia Cup title clash
  • India's chase recovered after early wickets from pacer Rasith Nimsara
2 min read

U19 Asia Cup: India edge Sri Lanka by eight wickets, set up title clash against Pakistan

India U19 defeats Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in a rain-hit semi-final, setting up a high-voltage Asia Cup title clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

"The pair guided India home in 18 overs, and sealed the team's eighth appearance in the title clash of the competition. - Match Report"

Dubai, Dec 19

Unbeaten half-centuries from Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George helped India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in a rain-hit U19 Men's Asia Cup semi-final and set up a high-voltage title clash against Pakistan, to be held on Sunday.

Rain forced the first semi-final at the ICC Academy Ground to be reduced to 20 overs per side, and India's disciplined bowling attack once again delivered, restricting Sri Lanka to 138/8, with Kanishk Chouhan and Henil Patel claiming two wickets each.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 28/3 in the sixth over, before skipper Vimath Dinsara (32) and Chamika Heenatigala (42) staged a brief recovery through a 45-run stand. Sethmika Seneviratne's 22-ball 30 provided late impetus, as Sri Lanka breached the 135-run mark.

India's chase began shakily, with skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismissed cheaply by pacer Rasith Nimsara for seven and nine respectively. But India's chase was steadied by Malhotra and George, who stitched together an unbroken 114-run stand for the third wicket.

Malhotra, fresh from being picked by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the IPL 2026 auction, struck 61 not out off 45 balls and struck his six boundaries cleanly. George, meanwhile, compiled a technically assured 58 not out off 49 deliveries, laced with five boundaries. The pair guided India home in 18 overs, and sealed the team's eighth appearance in the title clash of the competition.

The victory sets up a high-voltage clash against Pakistan, who defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the other semi-final. It will be the first India-Pakistan final in the U19 Asia Cup since 2014, when the India U19 side featuring current senior team members Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav clinched the title.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka U19 138/8 in 20 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 33, Sethmika Senevirathne 28; Henil Patel 2-31, Kanish Chouhan 2-36) lost to India U19 139/2 in 18 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 61, Aaron George 58; Rasith Nimsara 2-31) by eight wickets

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The composure shown by Malhotra and George after those early wickets was fantastic. It's great to see such temperament in young players. All the best for the final against Pakistan!
V
Vikram M
Final against Pakistan! The mother of all clashes, even at the U19 level. The boys have the talent, they just need to keep their nerves. Jai Hind!
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Rohit P
Good win, but the top order collapse is a bit worrying. Against a strong Pakistan bowling attack, we can't afford to lose early wickets like that. Hope the team works on this before Sunday.
P
Priya S
So proud of our boys! Henil Patel and Kanishk Chouhan did a great job with the ball. And Malhotra is already an RCB pick! Wishing them all the luck for the final. Bring the cup home! 💙
M
Michael C
As a neutral observer, the India-Pakistan final is what this tournament needed. It's always a spectacle, regardless of the level. Should be a cracking game of cricket.

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