Raichandani's 93 sets up an Under-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan at Al Amerat

India will meet Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final at Al Amerat on Saturday after an eight-wicket win over Afghanistan

Captain Lakshya Raichandani made 93 from 90 balls and India chased down a target of 228 in 36.5 overs, winning the second semi-final by eight wickets with 79 balls to spare.

The win sets up the match the tournament had been pointing towards. Pakistan have not lost a game in Oman, and the last side they beat before the semi-finals was India, by three wickets in the group stage on 8 November.

The final starts at 10:30 AM IST on Saturday at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.

Raichandani and Sehwag settle the chase early

India were never behind the rate. Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag put on 117 for the first wicket, and the game was effectively decided inside the first 20 overs.

Sehwag made 51 from 57 balls with four sixes before falling at the end of the 17th over. Raichandani batted on to 93, with 13 fours and a six, and was out at 194 for 2 in the 32nd over, seven short of a hundred.

From there VK Vineeth finished the job, unbeaten on 57 from 62 balls, closing the match with a six. Yashbardhan Chauhan was 16 not out at the other end.

Raichandani was named player of the match.

Sood and Savsani check Afghanistan

Afghanistan chose to bat and reached 227 for 8 from their 50 overs, a total that looked short on a ground where the ball came on.

Shah Faisal Rahimi made 51 from 72 balls and Noman Salarzai also made 51, the pair steadying the innings after two early wickets.

Afghanistan were 143 for 3 in the 36th over before the middle order went. Aryan Savsani took two wickets in an over to leave them 146 for 6, and Ishan Sood finished with 3-43 from nine overs, the best figures of the innings.

Captain Sohail Khan was unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, but the late runs were not enough.

Pakistan have not been pushed

Pakistan come into the final with four wins from four and the more comfortable semi-final behind them.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in 31.4 overs in the first semi-final, with Rizwanullah taking 5-30.

Hayam Khan then made 69 from 72 balls and Usman Khan 64 not out from 54 as the openers put on 123, and Pakistan won by nine wickets at 141 for 1 in 21.5 overs.

The group game India lost

The two sides met on 8 November, and India came off second best. India were bowled out for 208 in 46.3 overs, a total Pakistan overhauled at 209 for 7 in 48.1 overs.

Hamza Zahoor carried that chase with an unbeaten 100 from 108 balls, and Pakistan got home with three wickets and 11 balls in hand.

India recovered from it. They had already beaten Nepal by 10 wickets, and in their last group match Sehwag made 160 against the UAE to send them through.

A rematch of last December

Pakistan are the defending champions. They beat India in the 2025 final in Dubai on 21 December, and it was not close.

Pakistan made 347 for 8, Sameer Minhas scoring 172, and India were dismissed for 156 — a 191-run defeat and Pakistan’s second title.

India have had eleven months and a changed squad since. Saturday is the first chance to answer it.

India and Pakistan meet in the Under-19 Asia Cup final at Al Amerat on Saturday, with the first ball due at 10:30 AM IST.