India U19 registered a 90-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee Group A clash of the Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. In a match reduced to 49 overs a side due to a rain delay and wet outfield, India overcame challenging batting conditions on a spicy green top to post a competitive 240 all out.
The victory was underscored by palpable tension, as the teams continued the ‘no-handshake’ protocol recently observed at the senior level, with captains Ayush Mhatre and Farhan Yousaf refraining from the customary greeting at the toss and players avoiding it after the game.
Put in to bat, India started briskly with captain Mhatre smashing a 25-ball 38 to counter the moving ball. However, after the top order wobbled, it was Aaron George who anchored the innings with a fluent 85 off 88 balls. George stabilized the middle order with Abhigyan Kundu, but a cluster of wickets left India in trouble at 174 for 6.
All-rounder Kanishk Chouhan then played a decisive role, striking a run-a-ball 46 laden with three sixes to drag the total to a defendable 240 despite a three-wicket haul from Pakistan's Mohammad Sayyam.
Pakistan’s chase derailed almost immediately under a hostile spell from Indian pacer Deepesh Devendran. The Chennai seamer utilized the short ball to devastating effect, removing opener Sameen Manhas and Ali Hassan Baloch cheaply. His incisive opening burst of 3 for 16 left Pakistan reeling at 30 for 4 inside the first powerplay, a collapse that virtually decided the contest within the first hour of the second innings.
Huzaifa Ahsan offered some fight for the "Men in Green," scoring a fighting 70 off 83 balls. He stitched a brief 47-run partnership with captain Farhan Yousaf (23) to keep slim hopes alive, counter-attacking the spinners briefly. However, Player of the Match Kanishk Chouhan returned with the ball to extinguish any chance of a comeback.
His off-spin broke the partnership, and he eventually finished with figures of 3 for 33 as Pakistan was bundled out for 150 in 41.2 overs.
The depth of India's talent pool, was out on display, with George and Devendran stepping up in high-pressure situations. The on-field atmosphere remained charged throughout, featuring frequent send-offs and aggressive body language from both sides. This win comes as a boost heading into the upcoming World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia, while Pakistan was left to rue their inability to capitalize on winning the toss.
