UNDER-19 ASIA CUP

India romped to a 60-run win over Pakistan in a Group A match of the Under-19 Asia Cup played at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday. The highlight of the match was The mammoth 183-run second wicket alliance between Arjun Azad who scored 121 off 111 balls inclusive of 11 boundaries and 4 sixes and N.T. Tilak Varma who made 110 off 119 balls containing 10 boundaries and a six.  Naseem Shah claimed 3 for 52 and Abbas Afridi 3 for 72.

Pakistan was bowled out for 245 in 46.4 overs with Rohail Nazir scoring 117 off 108 balls hitting 12 boundaries and 3 sixes while Haris Khan made 43 off 53 with 2 boundaries and a six. A.V. Ankolekar did the damage with the ball for India with figures of 3 for 36 while V. Patil took 2 for 28 and S.S. Mishra 2for 37.India’s Arjun Azad was adjudged Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan beat Kuwait by 7 wickets in the other Group A match of the tournament played yesterday at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. Kuwait, batting first, were bundled out for 85 in 27.3 overs with Shafiqullan Ghafari taking 3 wickets for 12 and Noor Ahmad 2 for18.

Afghanistan struck off the winning runs making 86 for the loss of 3 wickets off 12.5 overs with Farhan Zakh leading the way with an unbeaten 38. Shafiqullan Ghafari was adjudged Player of the Match.

CHIEF SCORES:

India 305/9 (50 Overs) (Arjun Azad 121, N.T. Tilak Varma 110, S.G. Rawat 18, A.V. Ankolekar n.o. 16, Naseem Shah 3/52, Abbas Afridi 3/72) Pakistan 245 All out (46.4 Overs) V. Patil 2/28, S.S. Mishra 2/37) Rohail Nazir 117, Haris Khan 43, A.V. Ankolekar 3/36,

Kuwait 85 All out (27.3 Overs) (Meet Bhavsar 20, Givind Kumar 14, Shafiqullan Ghafari 3/12, Noor Ahmad 2/18) Afghanistan 86/3 (12.5 Overs) (Farhan Zakh n.o. 38, Rahmanullah 28)

By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-