India U19 pulled off a victory from the jaws of defeat in the U19 Asia Cup final.
India U19 defeated Pakistan U19 by one wicket in a dramatic last-ball finish to win the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2026 final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Saturday (November 14).
Chasing a massive target of 338, India U19 started strongly thanks to 95-run opening stand between captain Lakshya Raichandani (80) and Aaryavir Sehwag (58). However, a middle-order collapse saw the team slip into deep trouble.
India looked down and out at 252/8, still needing 86 runs for victory. Amidst intense pressure, Manal Chauhan (47 off 32) and No. 10 batter Mohit Ulva (49* off 26 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 57-run stand.
Needing eight runs off the final over with one wicket in hand and three runs off the final ball, Ulva charged down the track against Ahmed Hussain and smashed a boundary over extra cover to seal the championship.
The 339/9 finish handed India their ninth U19 Asia Cup title, avenging their earlier group-stage loss to Pakistan.
Following the heartbreaking defeat, former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed blamed the PCB’s leadership for destroying the domestic cricketing structure, alleging that every new chairman prioritizes appointing close associates rather than developing the sport.
He expressed frustration over Pakistan U19 squandering a dominant position and called for an end to comparisons with Indian cricket.
"(Bezatti ho gayi na? Thik thak kism ki bejatti karwa di na? Bezatti honi hi honi thi) We have been humiliated. Stop saying that we are better than India. I am saying this today: we are zero, absolutely zero. Our system is nothing compared to India's," said Tanvir on his YouTube channel.
"Our board has ruined everything. The Pakistan Cricket Board has destroyed the entire system. Whoever becomes the chairman starts trying to accommodate his own people," he added.
Despite his anger at Pakistan's administration, Tanvir praised the composure and fighting spirit of the young Indian squad for pulling off a heist.
"India won a match that they had already lost. Pakistan scored a massive 337 runs while batting first, and even when India had only two wickets remaining, the match was completely in Pakistan's hands. But the way Mohit and Manal Chauhan took the game away from Pakistan was brilliant," he remarked.