Dubai, Dec 23 (Agency) Defending champions India beat UAE by 154 runs in their opening match of the U19 Asia Cup at ICC Academy here on Thursday. Chasing a target of 283, UAE were bundled out for 128 inside 35 overs. India’s Rajvardhan Hangargekar took three wickets, while Garv Sangwan, Vicky Ostwal and Kaushal Tambe picked up two wickets each. UAE wicketkeeper-batter Kai Smith top scored with 45. The next best was Soorya Sathish with 21 runs to his name. No other UAE batter could pose a threat to young India. Earlier, Harnoor Singh’s 120 off 130 balls helped India post 282/5 after being sent in to bat first.
The men in blue lost an early wicket as opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi (2) was run out. However, Harnoor and Shaik Rasheed recovered India with their 90-run stand for the second wicket. Aayan Afzal Khan struck for UAE as he dismissed Rasheed for 35. India captain Yash Dhull joined Harnoor and the duo stitched a solid 120-run partnership which also saw India going past the 200-run mark. It was Alishan Sharafu who got the prized wicket of the right-hander Harnoor. While Dhull scored 63, Rajvardhan Hangargekar remained unbeaten on 48. For UAE, Sharafu picked up two wickets and Aayan Afzal took one wicket. India will next take on Pakistan on December 25, while UAE will meet Afghanistan on the same day.