The young Delhi batsman scored a swashbuckling 146 in India's imposing total of 316-5 that eventually fashioned a 56-run victory over Sri Lanka. It also ensured India's place in the last four of the Fifth ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka fought gamely making 100 in the first 12 overs. But the chase was too stiff and the islanders eventually finished at 260 in 44 overs. The defeat marked the exit of one of the three Asian giants from the competition.

Dhawan, who has been phenomenal with two centuries and a fifty in his previous five innings, raced to third three figures after India won the toss and decided to bat.

Certainly a star in the making, the southpaw produced an immaculate array of shots in his 136-ball polished knock. He struck 19 sweetly-timed boundaries and a pair of sixes.

He put on 134 runs for the fourth-wicket with Raina (54) after India were reduced to 39-3.

But the master-blaster of the Indian innings was wicketkeeper Karthik, who set the field alight with a blistering 39-ball 70. Karthik clobbered six fours and four sixes.

Tharanga got Sri Lanka off to a rollicking start smashing 61 for the first wicket that yielded 83 runs in just 10 overs. But they failed to carry on the momentum.

WEST INDIES V SOUTH AFRICA
West Indies rode on a brilliant hundred by Xavier Marshall to coast into the last four with a 34-run win against South Africa at the Fatullah Stadium in Narayanganj.

Marshall hit 106 as the junior Windies scored an impressive 284-6. South Africa replied with 250 but that was not enough to save them from going out of the competition.

Marshall struck eight fours and one six in his 133-ball knock. He received good support from Tishan Maraj (34), Lendl Simmons (30) and Jonathan Augustus (33).

South Africa's lower-order provided a late flurry with Mpumelelo Silwana hitting 42 before speedster Ravi Rampaul knocked his stumps over.

Rampaul, who made his senior international debut in South Africa last month, finished with three for 41.

West Indies will play in the second semifinal against the winners of today's big game between Pakistan and England.

PLATE CONTEST
Meanwhile, in the Plate competition Australia moved into the semifinal with an unconvincing six-wicket victory against Nepal at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

Chasing a modest Nepalese total of 154-9, the Australians were at one stage tottering at 66-4 before Adam Crosthwaite and Ahillen Beadle saw them through putting on 96 runs for the undefeated fifth wicket.

Crosthwaite scored 50 off 68 balls that included seven fours and a six. Beadle was however left stranded on 49 when victory was achieved in 36.2 overs.

Scotland defeated Papua New Guinea by seven wickets at the MA Aziz Stadium to join the Australians in the last four from the group.

The young Highlanders bowled PNG out for 114 in 32.2 overs and then raced to victory in 26.4 overs. Opener Young and Iqbal each scoring 30.

Both Australia and Scotland now await the outcome of today's match between Bangladesh and Ireland to know their semifinal opponents.