Unlike how it is at the senior level, where India-Pakistan cricket matches in recent times have mostly been one-sided affairs, the colts played out a thrilling contest in the U-19 Asia Cup final on Saturday, gifting fans a glimpse of the haloed rivalry that once enriched the game.
India U-19 emerged winners of the tournament that was hosted in Al-Amerat, Oman, this time, but only after a nail-biting battle that was decided by the finest of margins – a one-wicket win off the very last ball of the match.
In a repeat of last edition’s final, Pakistan looked well-placed to defend their title, but the script was flipped in the last few overs.
Chasing a massive 338-run target, India looked down and out when they lost their eighth wicket in the 42nd over.
They still needed 86 runs to overhaul Pakistan’s 337/9, but had only 51 balls and two wickets to do it.
But from 252/8, the Indian lower order switched gears and pulled off a classic cricket heist to upset their neighbours.
Mohit Ulva, the 18-year-old medium pacer from Gujarat, walked out with the bat at No. 10 to join No. 7 Manal Chauhan at the fall of the eighth wicket. The two brought out the big hits to stun the Pakistani attack and India’s score soon crossed the 300-mark.
But the chase hit a bumper when Chauhan was dismissed in the 48th over, with India’s score then 309, still 29 away from the target.
Chauhan, who is from Madhya Pradesh, made a fine 47 off 32 balls with three fours and as many sixes.
Pakistan still had hope, with India No. 11 Chigurupati Venkata joining Mohit at the crease in search of a victory that was still looking like an Everest of a task.
But India were in a defiant mood. The tail was in the mood to wag in style, with Mohit and Venkata waging a brave battle.
Pakistan’s Ahmed Hussain, a leg-break bowler, was entrusted with the job of defending 8 runs in the final over. He conceded five runs in the first five balls despite bowling a wide.
It was down to the last ball of the match, with India needing 3 runs for victory. Ulva stepped up to the challenge and lifted the last delivery over long-off to seal a famous triumph. Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls with five fours and three sixes.
Brief scores: Pakistan U-19 337/9 in 50 ovs (Usman Khan 107, Abdul Qadir 80, Farhan Yousaf 63; Kavya Paresh Patel 4/68, Chigurupati Venkata 3/40). India U-19 339/9 in 50 ovs (Lakshya Raichandani 80, Aaryavir Sehwag 58, Manal Chauhan 47, Mohit Ulva 49 n.o.). India U-19 won by one wkt.