India U19 defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a thrilling U19 Asia Cup final to secure their ninth title. Mohit Ulva hit the winning boundary off the final ball after Lakshya Raichandani’s brilliant 80 powered India’s historic 338-run chase.
India U19 scripted a memorable victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, clinching their ninth U19 Asia Cup title with a thrilling one-wicket win in a last-ball finish at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2) on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging target of 338 runs, India reached 339/9 in 50 overs, with Mohit Ulva hitting a boundary off the final delivery to seal the championship in dramatic fashion. Captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani played a crucial role with a composed 80, while Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 to guide India to a remarkable victory.
The final over produced extraordinary drama as India required eight runs from six deliveries with only one wicket remaining. Pakistan bowler Ahmed Hussain was entrusted with defending the target, but Ulva and Chigurupati Venkata maintained their composure under pressure. After collecting singles and surviving a stumping appeal, India needed three runs from the final delivery. Ulva connected brilliantly and sent the ball to the boundary, triggering celebrations in the Indian camp.
India began the chase confidently, with openers Aaryavir Sehwag and Raichandani adding 95 runs for the first wicket. Sehwag scored 58 off 61 deliveries, including nine boundaries, before being dismissed by Niqab Shafiq. Raichandani continued to anchor the innings, building important partnerships with VK Vineeth, who contributed 24, and Anvay Dravid, who scored 19.
However, Pakistan fought back with regular wickets. Raichandani departed for 80 off 101 balls, while India also lost Dravid, Aryan Savsani and Kavya Patel in quick succession. With the required run rate increasing and India struggling at nine wickets down, the contest appeared to be slipping away.
Manal Chauhan and Mohit Ulva then produced a spectacular counterattack. Chauhan smashed 47 off just 32 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes, while sharing a crucial 57-run partnership with Ulva. Although Chauhan was dismissed in the 47th over, Ulva continued the fight alongside Venkata, who contributed an unbeaten 11.
Earlier, Pakistan posted an imposing 337/9 in their allotted 50 overs, powered by impressive batting performances from Usman Khan, Abdul Qadir and captain Farhan Yousaf.
Usman top-scored with 107 off 111 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, while Qadir smashed 80 from 54 deliveries. Their 135-run partnership for the second wicket put Pakistan in a commanding position. Yousaf further strengthened the innings with a valuable 63.
India’s bowlers responded strongly in the closing overs to prevent Pakistan from crossing the 350-run mark. Kavya Patel delivered an outstanding performance, claiming four wickets for 68 runs, while Chigurupati Venkata picked up three wickets for 40 runs.
Venkata’s important breakthroughs included the dismissals of Usman Khan’s teammates Ahmed Hussain and Farhan Yousaf, helping India restrict Pakistan to 337/9.
Despite Pakistan’s formidable batting performance, India’s determination, lower-order resistance and Mohit Ulva’s last-ball heroics proved decisive. The victory secured India’s ninth U19 Asia Cup crown and added another memorable chapter to the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan U19: 337/9 in 50 overs (Usman Khan 107, Abdul Qadir 80, Farhan Yousaf 63; Kavya Patel 4/68, Chigurupati Venkata 3/40).
India U19: 339/9 in 50 overs (Lakshya Raichandani 80, Aaryavir Sehwag 58, Manal Chauhan 47, Mohit Ulva 49*; Rizwanullah 3/53, Niqab Shafiq 2/57).
Result: India U19 defeated Pakistan U19 by one wicket to win their ninth U19 Asia Cup title.
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