India cruised into the final of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2018 with a seven-wicket win over Pakistan at Colombo on Thursday, 13 December.
Mayank Markande’s four-wicket haul set things up, before unbeaten half-centuries from Nitish Rana and Himmat Singh powered India to victory in a 173-run chase with more than 22 overs remaining.
Jayant Yadav-led India now face hosts Sri Lanka in the final of the eight-team event, also at Colombo, on Saturday, 15 December.
Yadav asked Pakistan to bat first after winning the toss, and the Indian bowlers responded by bowling their arch-rivals out for 172 in 44.4 overs. Captain and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 67, while Saud Shakeel made 62.
Mayank Markande, later adjudged man of the match, was the pick of India’s bowlers with figures of 4/38 in 9.4 overs, while pacer Ankit Rajpoot and skipper Yadav took two wickets apiece.
India lost early wickets to be reduced to 52/3 in the chase, but Delhi duo Rana and Himmat took charge with an unbroken 126-run partnership to see the team comfortably over the line.
Rana struck three sixes in a run-a-ball 60, while Himmat smashed five maximums in his 58-ball 59 – including three in a row off Mohammad Asghar.
India had qualified for the semi-finals as Group A winners, having taken down Afghanistan, Oman and Sri Lanka in the group stage of the tournament which began on 6 December.
In the other semi-final, Sri Lanka claimed a six-wicket win against Bangladesh, reaching their target of 238 with 10 balls to spare.
(With inputs from PTI)