Patel, bowlers set up win for India

The India Under-23s bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, set up a 46-run victory in the semi-final against United Arab Emirates after a late-order collapse saw India fold for 208. India will now take on Pakistan Under-23s in the final on Sunday.

Pacer Sandeep Sharma had managed to get an early breakthrough for India, dismissing opener Amjad Khan. However, an 89-run stand between Shaiman Anwar and Swapnil Patil gave UAE the impetus for the chase. All that changed when Patel struck with two wickets in the 25th over, dismissing Anwar and Saqib Ali within three balls. He dismissed Patil in the 27th over and after which UAE's reply floundered. The batsmen failed to stitch together a single partnership worth more than 20 runs and Patel finished with four wickets for 29 runs, while offspinner Baba Aparajith and Sandeep picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, a 94-run stand between KL Rahul and Manprit Juneja helped India overcome a jittery start, before a few quick strikes slowed them down again. Juneja anchored the innings, adding important partnerships with Ankit Bawne and Ashok Menaria in the middle overs and scoring just one six during his 121-ball 76. With the score at 182 for 4 in 44 overs, India were in a good position to capitalise on the last few overs. However, the wickets of Juneja and Menaria in consecutive overs, triggered a collapse that saw India lose their last six wickets for 26 runs. UAE offspinner Nasir Aziz did most of the damage, finishing with 5 for 51.