India outclass Pakistan in high-scoring thriller to win under-19 Asia Cup
Al Amerat (Oman), November 14: The Indian Under-19 cricket team crossed all limits of excitement on Saturday and won the 2026 ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup title by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by one wicket. In the final played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, India achieved the huge target of 338 runs in the last over. The Indian team won the match by scoring 339 runs for nine wickets.
Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan played a key role in this memorable victory for India. Ulwa scored an unbeaten 49 runs in 26 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes under pressure and took the team to the target. Chigurupati Venkat provided crucial support with an unbeaten 11 off eight balls.
Pakistan, who won the toss and elected to bat first, scored 337 for nine in their 50 overs. Usman Khan batted brilliantly, scoring a century off 111 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. Abdul Qadir added quick runs, scoring 80 off 54 balls, including eight sixes and three fours.
Pakistan captain Farhan Yousuf also contributed 63 off 60 balls, while Ahmed Hussain scored 17 runs. Kavya Patel was the most successful bowler for India, taking four wickets for 68 runs. Chigurupati Venkat also took three wickets.
Chasing the target of 338, India’s captain, Rajesh Raichandani, provided a steady start. He scored 80 off 101 balls. Aryavir Sehwag contributed 58 runs off 61 balls. Manal Chauhan kept India’s hopes of victory alive with an aggressive 47 runs off 32 balls.
However, wickets fell at regular intervals, putting the Indian team under pressure. In such a difficult situation, Mohit Ulva’s aggressive batting turned the match around. He scored an unbeaten 49 runs to take India to the brink of victory. Chigurupati Venkat also supported him till the end, and India achieved the target in the last over.
For Pakistan, Rizwanullah took three wickets, while Niqab Shafiq took two.
With this victory, the young Indian players displayed a brilliant display of patience and fight in a high-pressure final and won the continental title.
