India lift U-17 Asia Cup

Karachi: India lifted the Under-17 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament with a six-wicket triumph over hosts Bangladesh in the final at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

India, making their debut at this level, reached 228 for four in 43.1 overs to overhaul Bangladesh's 225 for six after the home side had elected to bat first, according to details available here.

Opener Mohammed Ashraful was Bangladesh's mainstay with a rapid knock of 89 off 85 deliveries with 11 boundaries. Wicket-keeper Kazi Hasibul Haque remained unbeaten on 52 off 87 balls with two fours. The pair were involved in a third wicket partnership of 88.

Three Bangladesh batsmen were run out, including skipper Nafeez Iqbal for 12. Slow left-armer Shankararao was the pick of the Indian bowlers with one for 24 in nine overs.

India were well served by their top order batsmen. Sachin Dholpure blasted six fours and one six in his 59-ball 50, Parthiv Patel, the Indian wicket-keeping captain, contributed 40 off 48 balls with five hits to the fence. The opening stand between Dholpure and Patel realised 97 in 17.3 overs before were out off successive balls.

Deepak Chougule (46 off 64 balls with seven fours) and Mohnish Mishra, who hit 51 off 61 balls with five fours and a six, then added 93 for the third wicket in 18.4 overs.

Satya Kumar Varma and Stuart Binny, son of Roger, the Indian coach, completed the final rites after Man-of-the-Match Mishra was caught in the 41st over.

For Roger Binny, the former Test all-rounder and a member of the Indian World Cup-winning team in 1983, it was a unique double since he was also the coach of the Indian side which won the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka last year.