Standing tall

India’s Sachin Dhas (left) and Uday Saharan during the U-19 World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Benoni yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Five-time champions India overcame some jittery moments to defeat South Africa by two wickets to advance into the final of the U-19 World Cup for the ninth time, here on Tuesday.

Skipper Uday Saharan led from the front with a calm and composed 81 (124 balls), while Sachin Dhas scored 96 to bail India out from being 32-4 in their tricky pursuit of 245.

The duo, who had put together a 200-plus stand against Nepal in the previous match, this time stitched a 171-run alliance that came off just 187 deliveries to seize control.

Needing 19 from 19 balls, India lost two wickets - Aravelly Avanish (10) and Murugan Abhishek (0) in three balls - but Saharan kept calm in the company of Raj Lambani (13) who sealed their fifth successive final with a boundary.

The pace duo of Kwena Maphaka (3-32) and Tristan Luus (3-37) were the pick of South Africa bowlers. Earlier opting to bowl, the Saharan-led side restricted South Africa to 244-7.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Lhuan-dre Pretorious (76, 102 balls) top-scored for South Africa opening the batting, while Richard Seletswane made 64 off 100 deliveries in a 72-run stand.
New-ball bowler Raj Limbani (3-60) was the pick of the Indian bowler, while Musheer Khan bagged 2-43. Naman Tiwari and Saumy Pandey took one wicket apiece.

Brief scores
SA 244-7 (L Pretorius 76, R Seletswane 64; R Limbani 3-60) lost to India 248-8 in 48.5 overs (S Dhas 96, U Saharan 81; K Maphaka 3-32, T Luus 3-37) by two wickets

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