Harsh Tyagi scalped six-wicket haul helped India to clinch the title of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup as they inflicted 144-run defeat on Sri Lanka in the one sided final held on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
It was the sixth occasion for boys in blue to won the title of the U-19 Asia Cup after 1989, 2003, 2012 (India and Pakistan joint champions), 2013 and 2016.
Chasing a massive winning target of 305 runs set by India, Sri Lanka found the chase stiff and eventually dismissed at a paltry total of 160 in 38.4 overs.
Sri Lanka started their chase badly when they lost their captain Nipun Dananjaya for 12 runs.
Opener Nishan Madushka (49), the top scorer of Sri Lankan’s dilapidated, shared 46 runs partnership with Pasindu Sooriyabandara (31) to take the team to a comfortable position but the Indian bowlers kept threatening picking up wickets in regular interval.
However, Navod Paranavithana (48) offered some resistance in the middle but he hardly failed to get any support from the other end to stretch his innings as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets in just 56 runs.
Harsh Tyagi, the wrecker in-chief, caused the major damage for Sri Lanka, as he grabbed six wickets for 38 runs. He was well supported by Siddharth Desai who picked up two wickets giving away 37 runs.
Earlier, India rode on a solid opening stand by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Anuj Rawat, piled up a daunting total of 304 for 3 from their allotted 50 overs, after they opted to bat first on the placid wicket.
Opener Jaisaw composed a magnificent 85 runs and during the process he involved two partnerships- first 121 runs with Arjun Rawat (57) and second 59-run with Devdutt Padikkal (31).
The left handed wicket keeper batsman Jaisaw hit nine eight boundaries and one over boundary during 123-ball stay on the crease before he was trapped leg before wicket by Kalana Perera while Rawat smashed four boundaries and three over boundaries before fell to Dulith Wellalage.
Later, skipper Simran Singh and Ayush Badoni contributed an unbeaten 110-run for the fourth wicket stand helped India to set massive target for Sri Lanka.
Simran Singh blasted an unbeaten 37-ball off 65 runs laced with three boundaries and four over boundaries while Ayush hammered 28-ball off that studded with two boundaries and five over boundaries.
Kalhara Senarathne, Kalana Perera and Dulith Wellalage of Sri Lanka all shared one wicket of India.
Speaking at a post-match presentation ceremony, winning captain Pawan Shah said, “Yes, unfortunately I missed out due to an injury but I’m happy because my team won. It was a very well organised by ACC and I am glad that we emerged out victorious.”
Sri Lankan skipper Nipun Dananjaya said today wasn’t a good game for them and he congratulated the Indian team for this win by saying “Our batting department is good but we made mistakes in the middle overs that cost.”
Man of the Match Harsh Tyagi in his immediate reaction said: “It was quite helpful for the spinners. I stuck to the basics and I was planning with the captain. It came off good. The last match was good for the spinners. The coaches helped us and the video analysts also helped us a lot. It is always a great opportunity to play here, it’s a pleasure to play. I would like to thank the ACC for organising the tournament.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal of Inida was named the Man of the Series award for being the leading run-getter of the tournament.
