India face unbeaten Afghanistan at Al Amerat for a place in the Under-19 Asia Cup final

India have lost once in Oman and now meet the only side at the tournament that has not lost at all

India face Afghanistan in the second semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Thursday, with a place in Saturday's final at stake. Play begins at 05:00 GMT, 10:30 in India, on Ministry Turf 1.

The two teams arrive from opposite ends of the group stage. India finished second in Group A on four points, from two wins and a defeat, at a net run rate of 1.533. Afghanistan won all three of their Group B matches to top the table on six points at 3.176.

Pakistan, the defending champions, play Bangladesh in the first semi-final on the neighbouring Ministry Turf 2 at the same hour.

Sehwag's 160 settles India's qualification

Aaryavir Sehwag has been India's most productive batter of the week. His 160 from 168 balls against the United Arab Emirates on Monday carried India to 309 for 7, and the UAE's reply of 239 left India winners by 70 runs and safely through.

It followed an unbeaten 70 in the opening win over Nepal, and left him with 252 runs for the group stage at an average of 126.

The 18-year-old, son of the former India opener Virender Sehwag, was given his first India Under-19 call-up in August for the Youth ODI series against Australia.

Captain Lakshya Raichandani was with him for that Nepal chase, unbeaten on 53 in an opening stand of 129 that finished the match in 19.1 overs after Nepal had been bowled out for 128.

The Pakistan defeat still sits on the record

India's one loss came against Pakistan on 8 November, and it was narrow. Bowled out for 208 in 46.3 overs, India had Pakistan seven down before Hamza Zahoor's unbeaten 100 saw the chase home at 209 for 7 with 11 balls to spare.

Arjun Rajput's 107 was the innings that kept India in that match, and he has contributed with the ball as well, taking 3-8 against Nepal.

Ishan Sood, who took 3-18 in the same game, came out of the group stage with eight wickets.

Afghanistan have not been pushed

Afghanistan opened with a 113-run win over Bangladesh, recovering from 58 for 4 to post 231 before dismissing Bangladesh for 118. Shah Faisal Rahimi made 83 and Sami Mubarez took 3-11.

Malaysia were then bowled out for 42, and Afghanistan knocked off the 43 they needed inside three overs to win by ten wickets.

Sri Lanka were beaten by 106 runs on 9 November, Afghanistan making 275 in 49.5 overs around Subhan Zakhail's 107 from 111 balls and Abidullah Nadarjan's 55.

Three matches have brought them winning margins of 113 runs, ten wickets and 106 runs, and no side has yet made them bat out an innings under pressure.

Noor Ali Niazai is the bowler India must see off

The Afghanistan seamer Noor Ali Niazai came through the group stage with 13 wickets from three matches, more than any other bowler in the competition.

His 6-7 against Malaysia is the best return of the tournament so far, and he added 4-35 against Sri Lanka.

India's scoring in Oman has rested heavily on Sehwag and Rajput, and an early wicket for Niazai would ask how far the rest of that order stretches.

A final on Saturday for the winner

The winner returns to Al Amerat on 14 November for the final on Ministry Turf 2, against Pakistan or Bangladesh.

This is the 13th edition of the Under-19 Asia Cup, an eight-team, 50-over competition that began in Oman on 5 November. Pakistan hold the title.

India have one defeat in Oman and Afghanistan have none, and on Thursday one of those records ends.