Sri Lanka beat hosts Pakistan by 14 runsMeet. India in Asian U-19 finals

LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 4 (AFP) - A brilliant performance by Irfan Pathan helped steer India into the final of the Asian under-19 cricket tournament in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old left-armer, who is tipped to follow the steps of Indian stars Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, grabbed 9 for 16 against Bangladesh to secure India a massive 189 run victory in the last league match.

India made 223 with Dinesh Karthik chipping in with a brilliant 77. The team now meets Sri Lanka in the final on Thursday.

In Karachi, Sri Lanka outclassed hosts Pakistan by 14 runs.

Sri Lanka made 248-5 in their 50 overs with Kaushal Silva hitting 88.

Riaz Afridi hit 62 and in a stand of 79 for the eighth wicket with Usman Tariq gave a scare to the islanders before Sri Lanka pulled off the win in the 49th over.