LAHORE / RAWALPINDI — Mohit Ulva and Chigurupati Venkata held their nerve to guide India to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup final, chasing down a target of 338 on the final ball at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat on Saturday. India were staring at defeat at 252 for eight in the 42nd over before Ulva and Manal Chauhan revived their hopes with a 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Chauhan struck three fours and three sixes in his 32-ball 47 before falling at 309 in the 48th over, leaving India needing 29 from the final 16 deliveries. Ulva and Venkata then added an unbeaten 30 runs for the last wicket to take India home. With eight runs required in the final over, Ulva, who finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls, including five fours and three sixes, struck the winning boundary off Ahmed Hussain’s final delivery.
Venkata remained not out on 11 off eight balls as India finished at 339 for nine in 50 overs. Captain Lakshya Raichandani had earlier top-scored with 80 off 101 balls, while Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 58 from 61 deliveries. The pair provided India with a strong start, putting on 95 for the opening wicket before Sehwag was dismissed in the 18th over.