Sharjah Cricket Stadium will play host to its most-celebrated fixture for the first time in almost 14 years when India and Pakistan contest the Under 19 Asia Cup final on Saturday.
India, the world champions, secured their place after overcoming a mid-innings collapse to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Thursday.
Ankush Bains, the wicketkeeper-opener, was the mainstay of India’s successful pursuit of 224 to win, despite spending much of the innings sidelined.
The elegant right-hander was struck by a painful blow to the groin off the bowling of Binura Fernando in the first over of India’s innings, before a run was on the board.
He was forced to retire hurt, but returned to the wicket to play a vital hand in India’s middle order.
He made 54 to take his side to the brink of a victory, which was eventually secured when Kuldeep Yadav, who had earlier taken three wickets with the ball, hit the winning runs.
Saturday’s final pits familiar rivals together. India and Pakistan each have a claim to being considered the reigning Under 19 Asia Cup champions, after they tied the final in Malaysia in 2012.
They have more recent history, too, When the sides met in the pool stage at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, Pakistan won by two wickets when they chased down India’s 250 with three balls to spare.
Now they will be reacquainted in Sharjah, at a ground which was basically built for the express purpose of staging fixtures between the rival nations at the start of the 1980s.
pradley@thenational.ae
