Mohit Ulva praised his faith in God and self-belief after his unbeaten 49 runs helped India Under-19 secure a dramatic one-wicket victory against Pakistan in the 2026 ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup final.
Chasing a challenging target of 338 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, India’s innings faltered to 252 for eight, appearing close to defeat. Ulva, batting at number 10, responded with an aggressive innings featuring five fours and three sixes, forming a crucial 57-run partnership with Manal Chauhan, who scored 47 runs, followed by an unbroken 30-run stand with Chigurupati Venkata, unbeaten on 11.
Requiring eight runs from the final six balls, Ulva and Venkata maintained their composure, with Ulva sealing the win by hitting a boundary off the last ball, concluding the innings at 339 for nine. The victory marked India’s record-extending ninth Under-19 Asia Cup title.
Ulva, named Player of the Match, acknowledged his previous poor form in the tournament and credited his faith and confidence. He said, “I had belief in God in the last over. I believe myself to be an allrounder. This tournament had not gone well for me, but I had belief that I would be able to deliver today. I needed Manal’s support, which he provided. I knew it was my day and I would take my team over the line. Number 10 has been a very lucky number for me as all my runs have come from here. We had belief in our batting that we could chase this down. This was a flat wicket and we were telling ourselves that if they can score this many, then we can too.”
Manal Chauhan, whose 47 off 32 balls kept India’s chase alive before his dismissal in the 48th over, expressed gratitude towards the coaching staff for entrusting him with the finisher’s role. He stated, “I was very focused when I came out to bat. I was told to trust my process and strength by the coaches. I want to thank the support staff for trusting me with the role of the finisher. I was told to enjoy it in the middle. I was breaking down the target and was looking for a boundary in each over because I knew I would be able to take my team close. I had tears in my eyes after I got out.”
Earlier in the innings, captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani scored 80 off 101 balls, and opener Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 58 off 61 balls. Sehwag, named Player of the Tournament after amassing 361 runs in five matches, including a century and three half-centuries, spoke about the intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry and overcoming injury. He said, “I don’t feel any pain in my hand anymore. I cannot believe what I have just witnessed. I still have goosebumps. Emotions are very high whenever it is India-Pakistan. As I had gotten out in the last match against them, I wanted to score today regardless of taking a blow on my arm. It was hurting, but I knew if I stayed in the middle, it would keep pressure on Pakistan.”
Pakistan, having won the toss and elected to bat first, posted 337 for nine in their 50 overs. Opener Usman Khan top-scored with 107 off 111 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, while Abdul Qadir made 80 off 54 deliveries with eight sixes and three fours. Captain Farhan Yousaf added 63 runs from 60 balls. For India, Kavya Patel was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 68 runs, supported by Chigurupati Venkata’s three wickets.
Despite a middle-order collapse triggered by Pakistan bowlers Rizwanullah and Niqab Shafiq, who took three and two wickets respectively, Ulva and Venkata’s steady partnership in the final overs secured a memorable victory for the Indian team.