India secured a dramatic one-wicket victory over defending champions Pakistan in the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup final on Saturday, completing a remarkable chase of 338 runs off the final delivery at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat.
Mohit Ulva and Chigurupati Venkata held their nerve in a tense last-wicket partnership to guide India to 339 for nine in 50 overs, denying Pakistan a successful defence of their title.
India appeared headed for defeat after collapsing to 252 for eight in the 42nd over, but a determined lower-order fightback turned the contest in their favour.
Ulva and Manal Chauhan revived India’s hopes with a crucial 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket, putting pressure back on the Pakistani bowlers.
Chauhan played an aggressive innings of 47 from just 32 deliveries, striking three fours and three sixes before being dismissed with India’s total at 309 in the 48th over.
His departure left India requiring another 29 runs from the final 16 balls, with only one wicket remaining.
Ulva, however, continued the counterattack alongside Venkata, and the pair produced an unbeaten 30-run partnership to complete the extraordinary chase.
With eight runs needed from the final over, the pressure mounted on both sides as Pakistan attempted to defend their total.
Ulva eventually sealed the victory by striking a boundary off Ahmed Hussain’s final delivery, sparking celebrations among the Indian players.
The batter finished unbeaten on 49 from just 26 balls, an innings featuring five fours and three sixes, while Venkata contributed a valuable 11 not out from eight deliveries.
Earlier, Indian captain Lakshya Raichandani anchored the innings with a composed 80 from 101 balls, while Aaryavir Sehwag scored 58 off 61 deliveries.
The opening pair provided India with a solid foundation, adding 95 runs before Sehwag was dismissed in the 18th over.
Pakistan fought back through regular breakthroughs, preventing India from building sustained partnerships during the middle overs.
Raichandani’s dismissal at 217 in the 37th over dealt a significant blow to India’s chase, and the Pakistani bowlers continued to apply pressure.
By the 42nd over, India had slumped to 252 for eight, leaving Pakistan strongly positioned to retain the trophy.
Rizwanullah was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 53 runs in his 10 overs, while Niqab Shafiq took two wickets for 57 runs.
Despite their efforts, Pakistan were unable to dismiss India’s final pair or prevent the late surge that ultimately decided the match.
The defeat was particularly disappointing for Pakistan, who had entered the final unbeaten after an impressive campaign.
The defending champions won all three of their group-stage matches, including an earlier victory over India, before defeating Bangladesh in the semi-final to secure their place in the title decider.
However, India’s lower-order resilience overturned Pakistan’s advantage in the final overs, producing a memorable finish to the tournament.
The result gave India the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup title after one of the competition’s most dramatic run chases, while Pakistan were left to reflect on a narrow defeat despite having controlled substantial portions of the contest.