“Yeah, it’s going to be a good final, and everyone’s waiting for that. India U19 captain Lakshya Raichandani is gearing up for the U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan U19 after leading the team to the title clash with a convincing win over Afghanistan at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2) in Al Amerat, Muscat, on Thursday. And yeah, hopefully we put up a good show,” Raichandani said in the post-match presentation after guiding his team to an eight-wicket win over Afghanistan U19 in a chase of 228.
Raichandani is hoping for a “good final” against defending champions Pakistan as the team looks to avenge the 2025 drubbing, when the Ayush Mhatre-led side suffered a 191-run defeat in the final.
India are the most successful team in the U19 Asia Cup, having won the title eight times, while Pakistan and Bangladesh have won it twice each. In the ongoing tournament, India have lost just one game, and that was against Pakistan in the group stage. Pakistan U19 beat Bangladesh U19 in the other last-four clash While India made light work of 2017 champions Afghanistan in their semi-final of the 2026 edition. India will have a chance to avenge their 2025 loss, only the second time they have lost a U19 Asia Cup final after going down to Bangladesh in 2024. They were in good touch during the semi-final as Raichandani smashed his second fifty of the tournament, this time a well-composed 93 off 90 balls.
