Mohit Ulva Becomes India's Hero As They Beat Pakistan In The U19 Asia Cup In A Thriller

Xtra Time Newsdesk: Lower-order batsmen Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan kept their composure in tense moments as India secured a remarkable one-wicket victory off the final delivery against Pakistan to reclaim the Under-19 Asia Cup on Saturday. Chasing a daunting 338, India found themselves in deep trouble at 252 for eight in the 42nd over, but two unexpected heroes in Manal (47, 32b) and Mohit (49 not out, 26b) emerged to take them past the finish line. India posted 339 for nine, with Mohit aptly striking a boundary off the last ball from leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain to clinch the match and the title for his side.

When the two young batsmen came together, defending champions Pakistan had one hand on the trophy. Yet the two Indians confronted a confident opponent and bravely handled the pressure during their 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

However, Manal, who did all the running in their partnership, departed with the team score at 302, leaving India needing a further 36 runs with one wicket in hand.

But Mohit found another courageous partner in 11th man C Venkata (11 not out, 8b), and the Boys in Blue required eight runs from the final over.

The equation ultimately came down to three runs off the last ball, and Mohit smashed Hussain wide of long-off for a boundary to register an incredible victory.

Earlier, skipper Lakshya Raichandani (80) and Aaryavir Sehwag (58) kept India's fight alive, adding 95 runs for the opening wicket.

But Sehwag's dismissal and the back-to-back losses of Raichandani and Anvay Dravid put India in a difficult position before they pulled off a Houdini act.

Earlier, opener Usman Khan's composed 107 guided Pakistan to a strong 337 for nine.

Usman first put together a quick 62-run partnership with opening partner Hayam Khan in just 8.1 overs.

But that was merely an appetiser as Usman, who reached his hundred in 106 balls, and one-down batter Abdul Qadir (80) milked 135 runs in a mere 18 overs as Pakistan gained serious middle-order momentum.

Qadir was the senior partner, making 80 in just 54 balls, and reached his maiden Youth ODI fifty in 39 balls.

He carted left-arm spinner Manal and off-spinner Yashbardhdan Chauhan for two sixes in succession.

But Qadir's aggression eventually ended his stay as an uppish drive off Arjun Rajput ended in the hands of VK Vineeth at cover.

Usman too did not last much longer as a rather wild slash off pacer Kavya Patel (4/68) was snaffled by Rajput at mid-off.

At 240 for three in 36 overs, Pakistan had a fine platform to extend their lead over India.

Skipper Farhan Yousaf made a 63-ball 60 to help Pakistan go past 300.

Pacers Kavya and Venkata (3/40) picked up some late wickets, but by then Pakistan had already reached a big score.