Reigning champions India pulled off a close three wicket win over Afghanistan in a Group A match to maintain their unbeaten run in the ongoing 2019 Under 19 Asia Cup hosted by Sri Lanka at the CCC grounds yesterday. India made 128 for 7 in 38.4 overs in reply to Afghanistan’s 124 all out in 40.1 overs. The mainstays with the bat for India were S. Arora 29, S.G. Rawat 29, and A. Azad 21. The win insulated India’s reign at the top of Group A of the points table.

The contest reached a climax with Afghanistan fighting tooth and nail driving India on the back foot before a decisive 22-run eighth wicket alliance between Karan Lal and Purnank Tyagi carried the Indians to victory. Noor Laknawal picked 4 wickets for 30.

The main run getters for Afghanistan were openers Sediqullah Atal 25 and Farhan Zakhail 29 who posted 51 for the first wicket.  Sushant Mishra had a rich 5-wicket haul for 20 while Atharva Ankolekar was equal to the task with 4 wickets for 16 runs to collect the Player of the Match award. With this triumph India is on course to play the winners of the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh match on Tuesday in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Pakistan sword edged to a comprehensive 163-run win over Kuwait on a massive 335 for 9 off 50 overs on half centuries by M. Haris 53, M I. Khan 63 and M. Wasim 55 in a Group A match at the De Soysa Stadium. It set the stage for Qasim Akram with figures of 4 for 38 to run through Kuwait for 172 in 43.4 overs. A. Sadiq top scored with 60 followed by G. Kumar 45.

CHIEF SCORES:

Afghanistan 124 All out (40.1 Overs) (A.Taniwal 39, S. Mishra 5/20, A. Ankolekar 4/16) vs India 128/7 (38.4 Overs) (S. Arora 29, S.G. Rawat 29, A. Azad 21, N.A. Lakanwal 4/30)

Pakistan 335/9 (50 Overs) (M. Haris 53, M I. Khan 63, M. Wasim 55, J. Amanullah 4-60, A. Sadiq 3-70) vs Kuwait 172 (43.4 Overs) (A. Sadiq 60, G. Kumar 45, M. Wasim 3-23, Q. Akram 4-38)