India Post 169/7 Against Sri Lanka in Asian Games Semifinal

NISSHIN, Oct 1 : India posted a challenging 169 for seven in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the second semifinal of the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games here on Thursday.

Put in to bat after Sri Lanka won the toss, India made an explosive start through Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 38 off 21 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, striking four fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 173.91. He steadied the innings after India slipped to 87 for four in the 10th over before launching a late counter-attack.

Kishan added 26 runs with Tilak Varma, 18 with Shivam Dube and an unbeaten 18-run partnership with Washington Sundar off just seven balls.

Abhishek Sharma provided an early burst with a six in his three-ball seven before being dismissed by Sahan Arachchige. Sanju Samson scored seven off nine balls before being bowled by Tharindu Ratnayake.

Sooryavanshi's aggressive innings ended at 59, while captain Shreyas Iyer made 13 off 13 balls before Wanuja Sahan dismissed him, leaving India at 87 for four.

Axar Patel (8), Tilak Varma (2) and Shivam Dube (3) fell as Sri Lanka continued to take wickets at regular intervals. However, Kishan's counter-attacking knock helped India finish strongly, with Washington Sundar hitting a six off his three deliveries to take the total to 169.

For Sri Lanka, Tharindu Ratnayake and Sahan Arachchige claimed two wickets each, while Wanuja Sahan, Lasith Croospulle and Nuwanidu Fernando took one wicket apiece.

The winner of the semifinal will advance to the gold-medal match, while the losing side will compete for the bronze medal.