Pakistan Under-19s beat India by three wickets on Sunday in a Group A match of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, and secured their place in the semi-finals. Hamza Zahoor scored an unbeaten 100 off 108 balls to steer the side home, with 11 balls to spare.
Chasing 209, Pakistan were in difficulty at 61 for five, after left-arm spinner Manal Chauhan took 3 for 32 and dismissed Abdul Qadir in the 13th and 15th overs. Zahoor, who came in at that stage, anchored the innings and put on a sixth-wicket partnership of 107 with Hasnain Abbas Dar, who made 38 off 67 balls. Dar's dismissal at 168 for six left Pakistan needing 41 more runs, which Zahoor completed with his side.
Zahoor struck ten fours and three sixes in his innings. He rotated the strike well and picked his scoring options against the Indian pace attack, including a six over mid-wicket off pacer Ishan Sood. Reports agree that he stayed until the end of the chase.
India had batted first and were bowled out for 208 in 46.3 overs. Captain Lakshya Raichandani was dismissed for a duck in the first over, and India were reduced to 42 for four and later 86 for five. Arjun Rajput led the recovery with 107 off 85 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes, before he was dismissed at 170 for seven in the 36th over. Kavya Patel contributed 23 at number nine.
Pakistan's bowlers kept India in check through the innings. Ali Raza, Rizwanullah and Niqab Shafiq took three wickets each, and Rizwanullah conceded only 24 runs in seven overs. Ali Raza finished with figures of 3 for 37 from ten overs. Mohit Ulva took 2 for 45.
The result gives Pakistan four points from two matches, which puts them at the top of Group A. India remain second with two points from two matches. Pakistan have yet to play Nepal in the group stage.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Zahoor said: « I wanted to stay till the end and I knew I can win the match for my country. » Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said: « I am not surprised about Hamza as I know his capability. »