Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Arjun Rajput had given India a fighting chance with a breathtaking century, but Hamza Zahoor ensured the night belonged to Pakistan. In a stunning turnaround, Zahoor smashed an unbeaten 100 to guide Pakistan to a three-wicket victory and spoil India’s Diwali party in the Under-19 Asia Cup.
Rajput’s magnificent 107 off 85 balls had lifted India to 208 after a disastrous start, but Zahoor’s composure under pressure proved decisive as Pakistan chased down the target with 12 balls to spare at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2), Al Amerat.
advertisement
U19 Asia Cup, India vs Pakistan Highlights
For much of the chase, India looked firmly in control. Pakistan were staring at defeat after slipping to 61/5, but Zahoor refused to let the innings collapse. He joined hands with Hasnain Abbas Dar for a crucial 107-run partnership before taking charge in the closing stages. What began as a desperate recovery turned into a memorable victory, with Zahoor’s unbeaten hundred overshadowing Rajput’s heroic effort.
The result also extended Pakistan’s winning run against India in the Under-19 Asia Cup to two consecutive editions. They had beaten their arch-rivals in Dubai last year, powered by Sameer Minhas’s sensational 171. This time, Zahoor played the match-winning role, handing Pakistan another memorable victory over India.
The win also reshaped the Group A standings, sending Pakistan back to the top and pushing India down to second place. India will now look to bounce back when they face the UAE on November 10.
PAKISTAN’S NEW-BALL ATTACK RATTLES INDIA
India’s innings began on a disastrous note as Pakistan’s fast bowlers made excellent use of the conditions. There was pace, bounce and lateral movement on offer, and the Indian batters struggled to settle against a disciplined new-ball attack.
Ali Raza struck in the opening over, dismissing India captain Lakshya Raichandani for a duck. He returned to remove VK Vineeth for eight, leaving India in immediate trouble. Yashbardhan Chauhan became the next casualty, bowled by Rizwanullah for one after being beaten by a delivery that nipped back in.
India were reduced to 22/3, with Pakistan firmly in control. The visitors kept their lines tight and did not allow the Indian batters to find easy boundaries. Aaryavir Sehwag and Rajput attempted to steady the innings, with Sehwag showing patience against the probing attack.
Sehwag made 22 off 40 balls, striking a four and a six, but his dismissal in the 17th over left India with another rebuilding job. He attempted a sweep against Niqab Shafiq, only to find Mohammad Sayyam at deep mid-wicket. India were 40/3, and the responsibility of keeping the innings together fell on Rajput.
RAJPUT LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIGHTBACK
Rajput responded with an innings that combined composure and aggression. Rather than allowing Pakistan’s bowlers to dictate terms, he began taking calculated risks and put pressure back on the opposition. He used the sweep effectively against spin and punished deliveries that were short or overpitched.
He found boundaries against Ali Raza and Niqab Shafiq, helping India recover from their early collapse. Anvay Dravid offered some support with 10, but his dismissal meant Rajput had to continue carrying the innings.
The right-hander found an able partner in Manal Chauhan. The duo stitched together a crucial partnership, providing India with the stability they desperately needed. Manal contributed 11 before Rizwanullah broke the stand, but Rajput continued to attack.
His century arrived in just 80 balls, a remarkable effort considering the circumstances in which he had walked out to bat. Rajput eventually made 107 off 85 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and five sixes. It was an innings of tremendous responsibility and attacking intent, showcasing his ability to take on an attack that had dominated the opening exchanges.
INDIA LOSE MOMENTUM AFTER RAJPUT’S DEPARTURE
Rajput’s dismissal in the 36th over, with India at 169/6, proved to be a major turning point. Rizwanullah finally ended his resistance, and Manal Chauhan followed in the same over. With Rajput and Manal back in the pavilion, the lower order faced a difficult task.
Rizwanullah was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3/24 from seven overs. He had also removed Yashbardhan Chauhan before being forced off the field in the 42nd over after suffering cramps while fielding at deep mid-wicket.
Ali Raza and Niqab Shafiq also made important contributions, claiming three wickets each. Raza finished with 3/37, while Shafiq returned figures of 3/42. The three bowlers shared nine wickets between them, ensuring that India could not make the most of Rajput’s outstanding effort.
Kavya Patel attempted to keep the innings moving with a patient 23 off 45 balls. He struck a boundary to take India past the 200-run mark, but fell to Mohammad Sayyam in the 47th over. India’s innings eventually ended at 208 in 46.3 overs, with the team losing its last five wickets for just 39 runs after Rajput’s departure.
Despite the late collapse, Rajput’s innings had given India a total to defend. The onus was now on their bowlers to finish the job.
INDIA PUT PAKISTAN UNDER PRESSURE
Pakistan’s reply began with promise but soon threatened to unravel. India’s bowlers kept the pressure on, and the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals. Mohit Ulva and Ishan Sood struck early, while Manal Chauhan made a significant impact with the ball.
Manal dismissed Abdul Qadir before removing Ahmed Hussain for eight. Kavya Patel then sent back Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf for two, leaving the visitors reeling at 61/5. India had seized control and looked well placed to defend their total.
With Pakistan in trouble, Zahoor knew he had to take responsibility. He began cautiously, prioritising his wicket before gradually shifting gears. He used the sweep to good effect against spin, rotated the strike and punished loose deliveries. Hasnain Abbas Dar provided valuable support at the other end, allowing Zahoor to build his innings without taking unnecessary risks.
The pair put together a match-defining 107-run stand for the sixth wicket. Zahoor brought up his half-century in 55 balls, while Dar played a patient hand to keep Pakistan in the contest. Their partnership completely changed the complexion of the chase, taking Pakistan from the brink of defeat to a position from which victory became possible.
ZAHOOR TAKES PAKISTAN HOME
India eventually found a way to break the partnership when Dar was caught by Arjun Rajput off Manal Chauhan for 38. Mohammad Sayyam also fell to Mohit Ulva, giving India another opening. But with the required runs within reach, Zahoor took charge.
He managed the strike smartly, found crucial boundaries and ensured that Pakistan did not lose their way in the closing stages. Zahoor completed his unbeaten 100, capping a remarkable innings under pressure and guiding Pakistan to victory with 12 balls to spare.
Manal finished with 3/32 from his 10 overs, while Mohit claimed 2/45. Their efforts, however, were not enough to stop Zahoor from completing Pakistan’s remarkable comeback.
For India, Rajput’s 107 was a remarkable effort that deserved a winning cause. He had dragged India out of trouble and given his team a fighting total, but Zahoor produced the decisive response in the chase. Pakistan walked away with the bragging rights once again, leaving India to regroup ahead of their next Group A fixture.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
