The victory was anchored by Ulva’s composure under immense pressure, as he finished unbeaten on 49 from just 26 deliveries. Alongside Chigurupati Venkata, who remained not out on 11, Ulva steered his side past the finish line in a contest that saw the momentum shift repeatedly throughout the day.
Pakistan’s Batting Dominance and India’s Response
Earlier in the match, Pakistan set a formidable total of 337/9 after being sent in to bat. Opener Usman Khan led the charge with a commanding 107 off 106 balls, supported by a significant 135-run partnership with Abdul Qadir. Qadir provided the innings with aggression, striking 80 off 54 balls, while captain Farhan Yousaf added a valuable 60 off 63 deliveries to push the total beyond 300. Kavya Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning figures of 4/68, while Venkata chipped in with 3/40.
India’s pursuit began with a solid 90-run opening stand between Aaryavir Sehwag and captain Lakshya Raichandani. Sehwag contributed a fluent 58 off 61 balls despite sustaining a forearm injury, while Raichandani anchored the innings with 80 off 101 deliveries. However, the middle order struggled to maintain the required momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers claimed wickets at regular intervals, leaving India in a precarious position.
A Dramatic Turnaround in the Final Overs
With the required run rate climbing, Manal Chauhan provided a vital spark, smashing 47 off 32 balls. His partnership of 57 with Ulva kept India’s hopes alive, but his dismissal in the 48th over left the team needing 29 runs from the final 17 balls with only one wicket remaining. Ulva took charge, targeting Mohammad Sayyam in the 49th over with a flurry of boundaries and a six to bring the equation down to eight runs from the final six balls.
Tasked with defending the total, Ahmed Hussain bowled the final over as Ulva and Venkata rotated the strike to leave three runs needed from the last ball. Ulva stepped down the track and struck the ball toward wide long-off, finding the boundary to secure the trophy. The win marks a significant achievement for the Indian side, capping off a tournament defined by resilience and high-stakes performances.
