India U-19 continues unbeaten run to enter tri-series final

Brief Scores: Bangladesh U-19 222/7 in 50 overs (Mehedi Miraz 87(90), Washington Sundar 2/25) beaten by India U-19 223/6 in 48.4 overs (Rishabh Pant 51(26), Washington Sundar 50(75), Mehedi Miraz 2/50)

After thumping victories over Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the first round of matches, the Indian U-19 team once again got the better of their counterparts from Bangladesh.

Chasing a target of 222 set by Bangladesh, India got off to the perfect start with openers Rishabh Pant (51 from 26 balls) and Ishan Kishan (24 from 14 balls) putting together a partnership of 67 runs from 34 balls for the first wicket. Ishan Kishan’s run out triggered a collapse in the Indian innings as India were reduced to 116/4 in 21 overs from 67 for no loss in a span of six overs.

The duo of Washinghton Sundar (50 from 75 balls) and Amandeep Khare (41 from 95 balls), however,  steadied the Indian innings by stitching together 69 runs for the fifth wicket. After the departure of the duo, MK Lomror and MJ Dagar took India to victory with eight balls to spare. For Bangladesh, Mehedi Miraz was the pick of the bowlers chipping in with two wickets for 50 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh, who decided to bat first, put together a modest total of 222 runs at the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Chennai lad Washington Sundar, only 16 years old, displayed his bowling skills taking two wickets for 25 runs. Bangladesh skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz top scored for the visitors with 87 runs from 90 balls.

"It's the most important position but I knew there was no extraordinary thing needed and had to bat normally. I was confident and went with a positive mindset," said Sundar to PTI after a brilliant performance with both bat and ball.

India has confirmed its presence in the tri-series final after gaining 13 points from three matches. In the last league match on November 27, India will take on Afghanistan at the Jadavpur University complex in Kolkata.