Pakistan’s under-19 side beat India by three wickets in a tense Group A match of the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup in Oman on Sunday, with Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten century turning a collapse into a famous win.
Chasing 209 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Pakistan reached 209 for seven in 48.1 overs, with 11 balls to spare. The victory, Pakistan’s second in a row in the group, confirmed a place in the semi-finals, with one group match against Nepal still to come.
The chase had looked lost when the top order folded. Pakistan were 65 for five after Jahangir Bilal fell early for five, Usman Khan, who had made a century against the United Arab Emirates in the previous match, managed 16, Abdul Qadir made 20, captain Farhan Yousaf fell for two and Ahmed Hussain for eight.
Zahoor, batting at number seven, then joined Hasnain Abbas Dar and the pair rebuilt the innings with a 107-run stand for the sixth wicket. Dar made a battling 38 off 67 balls before Manal Chauhan removed him with Pakistan on 168 for six, and Mohammad Sayyam fell for four, but Zahoor stayed to the end. He finished on 100 not out off 108 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, and sealed the win with a boundary. Chauhan took three wickets for 32 runs.
India, who won the toss and batted first, were bowled out for 208 in 46.3 overs. Arjun Rajput top-scored with 107 off 85 balls, his first hundred in youth one-day cricket, striking 11 fours and five sixes. India had been 22 for three after Ali Raza removed captain Lakshya Raichandani with the second ball of the match, and Niqab Shafiq added three wickets of his own. Raza finished with three for 37, while Kavya Paresh Patel made 23.
The result continued Pakistan’s recent edge over India at this level: the side had beaten the same opponents by 191 runs in the final of the previous edition. Pakistan now await the semi-final draw once the group stage is complete.
