Pakistan and India are set to clash once again in an ACC Asia Cup final after the Pakistan U19 thumped Bangladesh U19 with an eight-wicket win in the semi-final in Dubai.
In the other semi-final, India U19 made short work of Sri Lanka U19 to book their spot in the final on Sunday.
At ICCA Dubai, India brushed aside Sri Lanka in a rain-reduced contest. Opting to bowl, India’s attack kept Sri Lanka to 138 for 8 in 20 overs, striking early to leave them 28 for 3 before being tested by two separate rebuilds.
Chamika Heenatigala’s 42 and captain Vimath Dinsara’s 32 gave Sri Lanka something to work with, and a 62-run stand with Sethmika Seneviratne threatened to push the total towards 150. But India closed out the innings well, allowing just 20 runs in the last three overs to pull things back.
India’s chase suffered minor early jitters at 25 for 2, but from there it was the Malhotra and George show. Vihaan Malhotra finished unbeaten on 61 off 45 balls, while Aaron George compiled 58 not out off 49.
The pair added an unbroken 114 for the third wicket, pacing their partnership smartly: steady through the middle and then accelerating once set. India got home with 12 balls to spare at 139 for 2, never really letting the asking rate become a factor.
Across town at the Sevens Stadium, Pakistan produced an even more emphatic display to swat aside Bangladesh. After choosing to field, Pakistan’s new-ball and middle-overs combination kept a lid on Bangladesh’s scoring throughout, with seamer Abdul Subhan ripping through the line-up for figures of 4 for 20. Bangladesh were bowled out for 121 in 26.3 overs, never quite escaping the squeeze.
The reply was about as comfortable as a semi-final chase gets. Despite losing Hamza Zahoor early, Pakistan were anchored by opener Sameer Minhas, who controlled the innings with 69 not out off 57 balls. Usman Khan’s 27 off 26 ensured there was no real scoreboard pressure, and Ahmed Hussain’s unbeaten 11 saw Pakistan home.
They cruised to 122 for 2 in just 16.3 overs, winning with 63 balls remaining and booking their place in Sunday’s final with minimal fuss.
The two results confirmed the matchup most observers had quietly pencilled in once the group standings became clear: India versus Pakistan, one more time, with a regional title on the line.
While India’s senior team dominated the 2025 Asia Cup, beating Pakistan in the final, the Pakistan Shaheens also went on an unbeaten run, including defeating the much-hyped Indian side, to capture the Rising Star Asia Cup 2025 in Qatar.
With the score 1-1, all eyes will be on Dubai as Pakistan U19 and India U19 look settle the score in the desert.
