Hamza Zahoor's Unbeaten Century Powers Pakistan Past India In U19 Asia Cup Thriller

Representative image: a batsman at the crease during a Test match at Perth Stadium. (Wikimedia Commons)

Pakistan Under-19s pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win over India Under-19s in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup on Sunday, chasing down a target of 209 with 11 balls to spare at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. Wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor was the hero of the day, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 108 balls and hitting the winning boundary to bring up his century and seal Pakistan's place in the semi-finals.

The match had everything a rivalry clash promises — early collapses, a rescue act, a dramatic fightback and a finish that went down to the wire. In the end, it was Zahoor's calm under pressure that made the difference between the two young sides.

Rajput's Lone Fight Rescues India From 42 For 4

India won the toss and chose to bat first, but the decision backfired almost immediately. Captain Lakshya Raichandani fell for a duck in the opening over, and the top order crumbled to 42 for 4 inside the first ten overs. Pakistan's pace attack, led by Ali Raza, Rizwanullah and Niqab, who took three wickets each, kept the pressure on throughout.

Arjun Rajput stood tall amid the wreckage. The young batter played a superb counter-attacking knock of 107 off just 85 balls, striking 11 fours and five sixes. He added 64 runs for one of the middle-order partnerships and kept India's innings alive almost single-handedly. A late cameo from Kavya Patel, who scored 23, pushed India to 208 all out in 46.3 overs — a total that looked below par on a good batting surface.

Pakistan Stumble To 61 For 5 Before Zahoor Takes Charge

Pakistan's chase began just as badly. India's bowlers struck early and often, reducing Pakistan to 61 for 5 in the 15th over. Manal Chauhan was the pick of the Indian attack, claiming three wickets and giving India real hope of defending a modest total.

But Zahoor refused to panic. The wicketkeeper-batter rebuilt the innings with patience, rotating the strike and punishing the loose deliveries. He found a dependable partner in Hasnain Dar, who scored 38, and the pair added a match-turning 107 runs for the sixth wicket to drag Pakistan back into the contest.

A Century Sealed With The Winning Boundary

With the target in sight, Zahoor shifted gears. He reached his hundred in the 49th over, completing the milestone with the very boundary that won the match off Kavya Patel. His unbeaten 100 came off 108 deliveries and included 10 fours and three sixes. Pakistan finished on 209 for 7 in 48.1 overs, and Zahoor was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.

What This Result Means For The Group

The victory was Pakistan's second in a row in Group A, taking them to the top of the table with four points and confirming their semi-final qualification. India, meanwhile, stay second with two points from two matches. The young Indian side will now look to bounce back when they face the United Arab Emirates in their third group match on Tuesday. The semi-finals of the tournament begin on Thursday, November 12, with the final scheduled for November 14.

For India, the defeat will hurt — especially after having Pakistan at 61 for 5 — but the tournament is far from over. A win against UAE would keep their campaign alive and set up a shot at the knockout stage.

Do you think India can bounce back against UAE on Tuesday and still reach the semi-finals? Tell us in the comments below.