Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A special hundred needs a unique celebration, especially when it comes against your arch-rivals. Hamza Zahoor did that after he hit the winning runs in the U19 Asia Cup on Sunday, November 8. The Pakistan batter got to his hundred off 108 balls with the final shot and pulled off an animated celebration at first as he made the run to the boundary with his teammates. Then, slowly the paper came out of the pocket as the Pakistan star displayed it to the cameras proudly.
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The message on it was more about how he manifested that knock. Hamza wrote on the piece of paper that he will score a fifty during the game.
“Tomorrrow match, 50 inshallah. Hamza Zahoor. I am the best,” read the note.
Hamza was also seen telling on cameras that it was a knock he dedicated to his brother.
HOW HAMZA WON PAKISTAN THE MATCH
Pakistan had restricted India to just 208 runs despite them boasting the names Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid. Arjun Rajput then produced a blinder as he scored 107 runs to steady the ship for India and get them to a respectable total.
IND vs PAK, U19 ASIA CUP 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
The Indian bowlers then stepped up for their side and Pakistan reeling at 61 for five in 15 overs. This is when Hamza entered the fray and he first steadied things with a 107-run stand with Hasnain Abbas Dar.
The young batter picked his opportunities, scoring crucial boundaries and occassionally hitting the big shots to release the pressure.
Hamza showed composure to shephard the tail and helped Pakistan win the match with three wickets remaining.
“Well, I got a message from the dugout that I had to bat till the end. So, it was in my mind that I will bat till the end and hopefully win the game for my team,” said Hamza at the post-match presentation.
His captain Farhan Yousaf heaped praise on the Pakistan hero, saying that he wasn’t surprised with the knock from him under pressure.
“I’m not surprised about Hamza. I know the ability of the guy. I am not surprised by Hamza’s innings today. But I really appreciate the way he assessed the condition and played according to the situation,” said Yousaf.
The win meant Pakistan are currently have won both their games and will face Nepal on November 10.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
