India’s Under-19 side secured a dramatic victory in the Asia Cup final on Saturday, overcoming Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to claim the title. Chasing a formidable target of 338, India reached 339/9 in 50 overs, anchored by a resilient batting display and a match-winning cameo from number 10 batter
The triumph was highlighted by the standout performance of opener
Sehwag’s Dominant Form and Final Heroics
Throughout the tournament, Sehwag demonstrated his ability to anchor the innings, recording scores of 70, 22, 160, 51, and 58. His standout performance was a magnificent 160 against the UAE, which marked the highest individual score of his campaign. In the final, he provided India with a solid foundation, scoring 58 off 61 balls with nine boundaries, and shared a significant opening partnership with captain Lakshya Raichandani.
Reflecting on the successful chase, Sehwag noted that the team maintained belief in the batting-friendly conditions. He emphasized the importance of batting deep, a strategy discussed in team meetings. Despite the pressure of the final, Sehwag’s contribution ensured he finished ahead of Pakistan’s Usman Khan, who tallied 345 runs in the tournament, including a century in the final match.
A Dramatic Turnaround in the Final
Pakistan had set a challenging total of 337/9, driven by Usman Khan’s 107, Abdul Qadir’s 80, and a 63-run contribution from captain Farhan Yousaf. India’s bowling effort was led by Kavya Patel, who took 4/68, and Chigurupati Venkata, who claimed 3/40 to restrict the opposition.
India’s chase faced a mid-innings collapse, slipping to 251/7 as Pakistan took regular wickets. Captain Raichandani provided stability with a composed 80 off 101 balls, but it was the late-order partnership between Manal Chauhan and Mohit Ulva that kept India’s hopes alive. The pair added 57 runs for the ninth wicket, with Chauhan contributing a quick-fire 47 off 32 balls.
With the game reaching a climax, Ulva took control, smashing 17 runs in the penultimate over to leave eight runs required from the final six balls. Holding his nerve under immense pressure, Ulva struck a boundary off the final delivery to seal the one-wicket win, securing the trophy for India.
