The U-19 Asia Cup 2025 is facing significant disruption due to heavy rain in Dubai, with the much-anticipated semifinal between India U-19 and Sri Lanka U-19 at the ICC Academy Ground hanging in the balance. The persistent showers have left the playing surface unplayable, raising concerns about the tournament’s progression.
Both semifinals were scheduled to commence simultaneously on Friday, but waterlogged outfields have led to considerable delays. Officials are adhering to a cut-off time of 3:30 PM IST for a shortened 20-over match to proceed, but the grim weather forecast offers little hope.
Under tournament regulations, there are no reserve days for the semifinals. This means that the team that achieved a higher standing in the group stage will advance if a match cannot be played to a conclusion.
India U-19 is strongly positioned to benefit from this rule. They finished at the summit of Group A, showcasing a dominant performance by winning all three of their league matches. Their comprehensive victories over UAE, Pakistan, and Malaysia have marked them as the most formidable team in the competition. If the semifinal against Sri Lanka is ultimately cancelled due to rain, India’s top group-stage finish will guarantee their spot in the final.
India’s path to the semifinals has been impressive. Their batting has been explosive, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi scoring 171 against UAE and Abhigyan Kundu hitting a double century against Malaysia, propelling their team totals beyond 400 on multiple occasions. Their bowling attack has also proven effective, notably in their 90-run win over Pakistan.
Sri Lanka U-19 qualified for the semifinals as the second-placed team in Group B. They demonstrated resilience with victories against Nepal and Afghanistan, although they were defeated by Bangladesh. The current weather presents a significant challenge to their hopes of reaching the final.
In the other semifinal, the Bangladesh vs. Pakistan match is also under threat from the rain. Bangladesh topped Group B, meaning they would also advance to the final if their game is washed out. This scenario would lead to a final between India and Bangladesh.
This U-19 Asia Cup is serving as a crucial developmental ground ahead of the U-19 World Cup in January 2026. India’s commanding performances thus far indicate a team well-prepared for future challenges, irrespective of any weather-related interruptions.