Aaryavir Sehwag's 160 blitz blows UAE away, sends India into U19 Asia Cup semis

Aaryavir Sehwag's magnificent 160 powered India to a commanding win over UAE in the U19 Asia Cup. Ishan Sood led the bowling effort with four wickets as India sealed their semi-final spot, where they will face Afghanistan.

In Short

• India-U19 beat UAE-U19 by 70 runs
• Aaryavir Sehwag starred with 160 in the first innings
• India will now face Afghanistan-U19 in the semifinal of the U19 Asia Cup

Brief Scores: India-U19 (309/7 in 50 ovs) beat UAE-U19 (239/9 in 50 ovs) by 70 runs to qualify for the semifinal of the U19 Asia Cup. Aaryavir Sehwag (160), VK Vineeth (67); Ishan Sood (3/37)

The Sehwag surname has long been associated with attacking batting in Indian cricket. Virender Sehwag made a career out of taking on bowlers from the outset, often setting the tone with his fearless approach. His son Aaryavir, however, showed that he has a way of his own. Against UAE on Tuesday, the young opener took his time at the start, built his innings patiently and then shifted gears to produce a commanding 160.

His knock powered India U19 to a 70-run win in the U19 Asia Cup and secured their place in the semi-finals against Afghanistan. After suffering a defeat to Pakistan in their previous outing, India needed a response. Aaryavir gave them the perfect platform.

AARYAVIR ANCHORS INDIA

UAE won the toss and elected to field, hoping to make the most of the early assistance on offer. The surface had a tinge of moisture and an even covering of grass, with the new ball expected to help the pacers. India needed their top order to show patience, and Aaryavir did just that.

The opener began cautiously as UAE's seamers found movement and kept the scoring in check. India lost captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani for 17, but Aaryavir held his ground. He also survived a couple of chances, with UAE unable to hold on to opportunities, but made sure to make the most of his reprieves.

VK Vineeth joined him at the crease and the pair gradually took control. They added 193 runs for the second wicket, turning India's steady start into a substantial platform. Vineeth played the supporting role with a fluent 65, while Aaryavir continued to accumulate runs without taking unnecessary risks.

As he settled in, Aaryavir began to find the boundaries more regularly. He used his feet against the spinners, picked his shots carefully and punished loose deliveries. The change in tempo was clear after he reached his hundred. Having spent the first part of his innings getting his eye in, he began to attack with greater freedom.

His innings eventually ended at 160 off 168 deliveries, with 17 fours and seven sixes. It wasn't an all-out assault from the first ball. Aaryavir built his innings in stages, showing an approach quite different from the one that made his father famous.

India lost Aaryavir in the 45th over, caught at mid-wicket off Naseem Khan, but the damage had been done. The lower order added useful runs in the closing overs, with Mohit Ulva finishing the innings with a six. India reached 309 for 7, registering the highest total of the tournament at that stage.

UAE FIGHT BACK

Chasing 310 was always going to be a demanding task, particularly against an Indian attack with a sizeable total to defend. UAE, however, did not fold without a fight.

India made early inroads and kept the asking rate under pressure, but Ahmed Khudadad and Noorullah Ayobi gave their side a chance to make a contest of it. Khudadad led the resistance with 74 off 74 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. Ayobi added 39 from 25 deliveries, injecting urgency into the chase.

The pair's stand briefly raised hopes of an unlikely turnaround. Yayin Rai also chipped in with 29, but UAE needed a much bigger contribution from their middle order to sustain the challenge.

India's bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets, ensuring the required rate continued to climb. The late partnership had threatened to make the finish uncomfortable, but India found the breakthrough when it mattered.

SOOD SEALS THE WIN

Ishan Sood proved to be India's standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 37. He broke the resistance by dismissing Ayobi and Khudadad in successive deliveries, swinging the momentum firmly back India's way.

Sood struck twice in the final over as well. He bowled Hadayatullah Khan to bring UAE's innings to an end at 239, sealing a 70-run victory for India.

After the disappointment against Pakistan, India had delivered the response they needed. Aaryavir's 160 gave them the platform, Vineeth's contribution helped build the total and Sood led the bowling effort when UAE threatened to fight back.

The comparisons with Virender Sehwag will follow Aaryavir as he makes his way in the game. But this innings offered a glimpse of his own approach. He may carry the same surname, but he showed he doesn't need to bat exactly like his father. He took his time, read the conditions and then went after the bowling. The result was an innings that put India into the last four.

- Ends