Muscat, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Mohit Ulva struck a boundary off the final delivery as India U19 defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by one wicket in a thrilling final to clinch their ninth U19 Asia Cup title at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Chasing a formidable target of 338, India finished at 339/9 in 50 overs. Captain Lakshya Raichandani led the chase with 80, while Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 and Chigurupati Venkata contributed an unbeaten 11.
India needed eight runs from the final over, with Pakistan just one wicket away from victory. Ulva and Venkata held their nerve against Ahmed Hussain, bringing the equation down to three runs off the last ball. Ulva then found the boundary to seal the title.
India made a strong start through openers Aaryavir Sehwag and Raichandani, who added 95 runs for the first wicket. Sehwag scored 58 off 61 balls, including nine fours, before being dismissed by Niqab Shafiq. Raichandani continued to anchor the innings, sharing useful partnerships with VK Vineeth (24) and Anvay Dravid (19).
Raichandani was dismissed for 80 off 101 balls in the 37th over, while Dravid was run out in the same over. India subsequently lost Aryan Savsani for nine and Kavya Patel for a duck, leaving the chase under pressure.
Manal Chauhan and Ulva revived India’s hopes with an attacking 57-run partnership. Chauhan scored 47 off 32 balls, including three fours and three sixes, while Ulva struck crucial boundaries and sixes to keep the required rate within reach. Chauhan fell in the 47th over, but Venkata joined Ulva to complete the chase.
Rizwanullah took three wickets for Pakistan, while Niqab Shafiq claimed two.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 337/9 after centuries from Usman Khan and substantial contributions from Abdul Qadir and captain Farhan Yousaf. Usman top-scored with 107, Qadir made 80 and Yousaf added 63.
Usman and Hayam Khan gave Pakistan a positive start, putting on 62 runs for the opening wicket. After Hayam’s dismissal, Qadir joined Usman and attacked the Indian bowlers. The pair added 135 runs for the second wicket before Arjun Rajput dismissed Qadir for 80 off 54 balls.
Usman brought up his second century of the tournament before falling for 107 off 111 balls, an innings featuring 11 fours and three sixes. Yousaf then scored 63 to keep Pakistan on course for a big total.
India fought back in the closing overs through Chigurupati Venkata, who dismissed Ahmed Hussain and Yousaf in the 45th over before removing Hasnain Abbas Dar in the next over. Kavya Patel dismissed Hamza Zahoor and finished with four wickets, while 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 Rajesh Raichandani 80, Aaryavir Sehwag 58, Mohit Ulva 49*; Rizwanullah 3-53, Niqab Shafiq 2-57) by one wicket.
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