Picture Credit: ACC
India U19 defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by one wicket to win their ninth U19 Asia Cup title in a dramatic final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat on Saturday.
Mohit Ulva struck a boundary off the final delivery to complete a remarkable chase of 338 runs.
India finished at 339/9 in 50 overs. Captain Lakshya Raichandani anchored the innings with 80, while Ulva remained unbeaten on 49. Chigurupati Venkata supported him with an unbeaten 11.
India made a positive start as Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag added 95 runs for the opening wicket. Sehwag scored 58 off 61 balls, including nine fours.
Raichandani continued to hold the innings together despite losing partners at regular intervals. He struck 80 off 101 deliveries before Ali Raza dismissed him in the 37th over.
Anvay Dravid contributed 19, while VK Vineeth scored 24. However, Pakistan reduced India to a difficult position by taking regular wickets.
Ulva and Chauhan Stage a Late Fightback
With India struggling, Manal Chauhan and Ulva launched a counterattack. Chauhan scored 47 off 32 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Their 57-run partnership revived India’s hopes.
After Chauhan’s dismissal in the 47th over, Venkata joined Ulva. India needed eight runs from the final over with just one wicket remaining.
Ulva and Venkata collected crucial singles against Ahmed Hussain before Ulva struck the winning boundary off the final ball. Rizwanullah claimed three wickets for Pakistan, while Niqab Shafiq took two.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 337/9 after Usman Khan scored 107 off 111 balls. Abdul Qadir contributed 80 off 54 deliveries, while captain Farhan Yousaf added 63.
Usman and Qadir shared a 135-run partnership for the second wicket. India’s bowlers fought back in the closing overs to restrict Pakistan.
Kavya Patel led the bowling attack with four wickets, while Chigurupati Venkata claimed three.
Brief Scores: Pakistan U19 337/9 in 50 overs (Usman Khan 107, Abdul Qadir 80; Kavya Patel 4/68, Chigurupati Venkata 3/40) lost to India U19 339/9 in 50 overs (Lakshya Raichandani 80, Aaryavir Sehwag 58, Mohit Ulva 49*; Rizwanullah 3/53, Niqab Shafiq 2/57) by one wicket.
Also Read: Usman Khan’s Century Powers Pakistan To 337/9 Against India In U19 Asia Cup Final
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