India Beat Pakistan by 1 Wicket in U19 Asia Cup Final Thriller

India beat Pakistan by one wicket off the last ball to win the U19 Asia Cup final at Al Amerat in Oman on Saturday. Pakistan scored 337 for 9 in their 50 overs. India reached 339 for 9 to win the match with no balls left. It was India’s ninth U19 Asia Cup title.

The final was one of the best matches in the history of the tournament. Pakistan were the defending champions and had not lost a match before the final. India were 252 for 8 at one stage and looked beaten. But a late stand took India to the win in the most dramatic way possible.

Usman Khan’s century powers Pakistan to 337

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Usman Khan led the way with 107 runs. Abdul Qadir scored 80, and captain Farhan Yousaf made 63. Pakistan were in a strong position at 305 for 4.

India then fought back with the ball. Pakistan lost five wickets for 32 runs in the closing overs. Kavya Patel took 4 wickets for 68 runs, and Chigurupati Venkata took 3 for 40. India gave away 63 runs in the last 10 overs but took six wickets in that period. Pakistan finished on 337 for 9, which looked like a big total in a final.

India slip to 252 for 8 in the chase

India’s chase of 338 started well but then fell apart in the middle. Captain Lakshya Raichandani scored 80, and Aaryavir Sehwag made 58. The two batters kept India in the match, but Pakistan’s bowlers kept taking wickets at the other end.

Rizwanullah was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with 3 wickets for 53 runs. Niqab Shafiq took 2 for 57. When India slipped to 252 for 8, Pakistan were the clear favourites. India still needed 86 runs, and they had only two wickets left.

Ulva and Chauhan turn the final

Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan then produced one of the great fightbacks in youth cricket. Ulva scored 49 not out off just 26 balls. Chauhan made 47. The pair took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers and brought the target within reach.

India needed three runs off the last ball. Ulva hit a boundary to finish the match. The Indian players ran onto the field in celebration. Pakistan’s players stood in silence. It was a cruel end for a team that had played so well for most of the day.

India’s ninth title

The win gave India their ninth U19 Asia Cup title. It was their first title since 2021, when they beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the final. India have now won the tournament more times than any other team.

For Pakistan, the defeat ended a strong run. They had reached the final after they Pakistan U19 Beat Bangladesh by 9 Wickets, Reach Asia Cup Final in the semi-final. Pakistan had also beaten India in last year’s final, and they had beaten India in the group stage of this year’s tournament. This time, India had the last word.

The final also showed the strength of youth cricket in Asia. Both teams had players who looked ready for the next level. Ulva’s calm finish under pressure was the moment of the match, and it will be remembered for a long time.

Read more of our Sports coverage.

Sources: Dunya News, Geo News, ARY News, India TV, The Week.