NEW DELHI: The India U-19 team, led by Ayush Mhatre, has been unbeaten so far in the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai, registering comfortable victories against Pakistan, UAE, and Malaysia in their Group A matches.
Heading into the semifinal of the tournament, India are the clear favourites against Sri Lanka at the ICC Cricket Academy. However, the match, which was scheduled to start at 10:30 am IST, has been delayed due to rain.
There are still no signs of play resuming in the next few hours as the rain continues. The cutoff for a 20-over game is 3:30 PM, and for now, the match's fate remains uncertain.
Rain hasn't just affected the India vs Sri Lanka semifinal - the other semifinal between Pakistan and Bangladesh has also been delayed. With showers continuing in Dubai, uncertainty looms over who will make it to the final if play remains impossible on Friday.
It's important to note that no reserve days are scheduled for the semifinals. If the matches cannot take place, the teams with the higher rankings from the group stage will advance to the final, which is set to be played on Sunday, December 21.
If the India vs Sri Lanka match is abandoned, India will advance to the final, having finished as the table-toppers in Group A under Ayush Mhatre's captaincy, ahead of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, if the Pakistan vs Bangladesh semifinal is also called off, Bangladesh will move through to the final to face India.
