India stun Pakistan by one wicket in last-ball U-19 Asia Cup final thriller

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Mohit Ulva and Chigurupati Venkata held their nerve to guide India to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup final, chasing down a target of 338 on the final ball at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat on Saturday.</p> <p>India were staring at defeat at 252 for eight in the 42nd over before Ulva and Manal Chauhan revived their hopes with a 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket.</p> <p>Chauhan struck three fours and three sixes in his 32-ball 47 before falling at 309 in the 48th over, leaving India needing 29 from the final 16 deliveries.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/TheRealPCB/status/2121592541082747116'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/2121592541082747116"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Ulva and Venkata then added an unbeaten 30 runs for the last wicket to take India home. With eight runs required in the final over, Ulva, who finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes, struck the winning boundary off Ahmed Hussain’s final delivery. Venkata remained not out on 11 off eight balls as India finished at 339 for nine in 50 overs.</p> <p>Captain Lakshya Raichandani had earlier top-scored with 80 off 101 balls, while Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 58 from 61 deliveries.</p> <p>The pair provided India with a strong start, putting on 95 for the opening wicket before Sehwag was dismissed in the 18th over.</p> <p>Pakistan, however, kept striking at regular intervals to regain control. Raichandani departed at 217 in the 37th over, and India lost their eighth wicket just one run later, with the scoreboard reading 252.</p> <p>Rizwanullah was Pakistan’s most successful bowler with three for 53 in his 10 overs, while Niqab Shafiq claimed two for 57.</p> <p>The defeat denied defending champions Pakistan a successful title defence after they had entered the final unbeaten, winning all three group matches, including an earlier victory over India, before overcoming Bangladesh in the semi-final.</p> <p>Earlier, Pakistan posted 337 for nine after opting to bat, with Usman Khan scoring a century and Abdul Qadir and captain Farhan Yousaf making valuable half-centuries.</p> <p>Usman and Hayam Khan provided Pakistan with a steady start, putting on 62 for the opening wicket. Hayam struck four boundaries in his 23-ball 21 before falling in the ninth over.</p> <p>Usman then combined with Qadir in a commanding 135-run partnership for the second wicket.</p> <p>Qadir provided the acceleration with an attacking 80 off just 54 balls, hitting three fours and eight sixes before being dismissed on the last ball of the 27th over with Pakistan at 197 for two.</p> <p>Usman continued to anchor the innings, reaching his second century of the tournament. The left-hander struck 107 off 111 deliveries, including 11 fours and three sixes, before falling in the 37th over with Pakistan at 240 for three.</p> <p>Farhan maintained the momentum with a 60-ball 63, including four fours and three sixes. He added 59 runs for the fourth wicket with Ahmed Hussain, who contributed 17 off 20 balls.</p> <p>Pakistan had looked set for a total in excess of 350 after reaching 204 for two at the halfway stage. However, India’s bowlers pulled things back in the closing overs, restricting Pakistan to 337 for nine.</p> <p>Kavya Paresh Patel led the Indian attack with four for 68 in his 10 overs, while Venkata, who came into the side in place of the injured Ishan Sood, claimed three for 40 from five overs. Arjun Rajput took one wicket for 43.</p> <p>Ulva was named player of the match for his decisive contribution in the chase, while Sehwag received the player of the tournament award.</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.