Aaryavir Sehwag smashed a magnificent 160 off 168 balls as India Under-19 defeated the United Arab Emirates by 70 runs in a winner-takes-all Group A match at Al Amerat on Tuesday, sealing a place in the semi-finals of the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2026, NewKerala and The Daily Jagran reported.

Source: NewKerala

India, sent in to bat after the UAE won the toss, posted 309 for seven in their 50 overs. Sehwag shared a 193-run partnership for the second wicket with VK Vineeth, who made 67 off 69 balls, before Naseem Khan struck back for the UAE with four wickets for 48.

160Sehwag's score off 168 balls
309/7India's total in 50 overs
239UAE all out in 49.6 overs
70 runsIndia's winning margin

A maiden hundred that kept growing

The opener reached his century off 131 balls — his maiden hundred for India U19 — and then accelerated, adding 60 runs off his next 37 balls. He hit 17 fours and seven sixes before falling in the 45th over, caught by Uddish Suri at mid-wicket off Naseem Khan, and was named Player of the Match.

The 160 also put Sehwag in rare company: it is the joint fifth-highest individual score by an Indian batter in Youth ODIs, matching the 160s scored by Shubman Gill against England in Mumbai in 2017 and Mayank Agarwal against Australia in Hobart in 2009. The Indian record remains Ambati Rayudu's unbeaten 177 against England U19 at Taunton in 2002.

Sood finishes the job

Chasing 310, the UAE were bowled out for 239 in 49.6 overs. Ahmed Khudadad top-scored with 74 and Noorullah Ayobi made 39, but Ishan Sood's four wickets for 37 ensured India were never seriously threatened, the match scorecard showed.

Source: SportMaax scorecard

The win was a strong response from India, who had lost their previous group match to Pakistan by three wickets. India finish second in Group A behind Pakistan and will face Afghanistan in the semi-final on Thursday, November 12, while Pakistan meet Bangladesh in the other semi-final the same day. The final is scheduled for Saturday, November 14.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed India's semi-final place in a post after the match, noting that Sehwag was Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.

Source: The Daily Jagran