India beat Pakistan to win U19 Asia Cup 2026

India produced a sensational comeback to defeat defending champions Pakistan by one wicket in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2026 final at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging target of 338, India secured victory on the final delivery, with Mohit Ulva producing an unbeaten 49-run knock to guide his side home after Pakistan had appeared favourites to win the contest.

Earlier, Pakistan posted an imposing 337 for nine, powered by Usman Khan's century, Abdul Qadir's explosive 80 and captain Farhan Yousaf's half-century. However, India's bowlers recovered impressively in the final overs before their batters completed a remarkable chase.

How did India's top order lay the foundation?

India began their pursuit positively as captain Lakshya Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag put together an opening stand of 95 runs.

Sehwag scored 58 off 61 deliveries before Niqab Shafiq ended the partnership in the 18th over, dismissing the right-hander at long-off.

Raichandani subsequently anchored the innings through useful partnerships with VK Vineeth (24), Arjun Rajput (16) and Anvay Dravid (19).

The Indian skipper eventually departed for a well-constructed 80 off 101 deliveries, including five boundaries, after Ali Raza dismissed him in the 37th over.

Dravid's dismissal in the following over further complicated India's chase, leaving them at 217 for six.

How did Mohit Ulva completed an unlikely chase?

With 121 runs required from 81 deliveries, Manal Chauhan attempted to revive India's hopes alongside Aryan Savsani.

Their seventh-wicket partnership produced 34 runs before Rizwanullah dismissed Savsani for nine.

Pakistan tightened their grip when Mohammad Sayyam removed Kavya Paresh Patel for a duck, reducing India to 252 for eight.

However, Chauhan continued fighting and found valuable support from Mohit Ulva, as the pair launched a counterattack that brought the equation down to 30 runs from three overs.

Chauhan smashed three sixes and three fours during his 47 off 32 deliveries before Shafiq dismissed him in the 48th over.

Despite the crucial breakthrough, Pakistan could not prevent India's late charge.

Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 from just 26 balls, striking eight boundaries, including three sixes, to complete an extraordinary victory on the final delivery.

Rizwanullah finished with three wickets for 53 runs, while Shafiq claimed two scalps.

How did Pakistan post 337 runs?

Earlier, Pakistan made an explosive start after Yousaf elected to bat, racing to 93 for one during the powerplay.

Usman and Hayam Khan provided the initial impetus before Kavya dismissed Hayam for 21 in the ninth over.

Usman subsequently joined forces with Qadir, and the pair added 135 runs from just 18.5 overs for the second wicket.

Qadir dominated the partnership with an aggressive 80 off 54 deliveries, featuring eight sixes and three fours, before Arjun Rajput dismissed him in the 27th over.

Usman continued to anchor the innings, registering his fourth century in Under-19 ODIs before falling to Kavya in the 37th over.

Yousaf then contributed 63 from 60 deliveries, but Chigurupati Venkata removed the Pakistan captain in the 45th over.

How did India restrict Pakistan in the death overs?

Pakistan appeared well-positioned for a substantially bigger total after reaching 274 for three in 40 overs.

However, India's bowlers produced an impressive comeback, conceding just 63 runs in the final 10 overs while claiming six wickets.

Kavya spearheaded the recovery with four wickets, while Venkata picked up three, using clever variations in pace to restrict Pakistan to 337 for nine.

The bowling effort proved crucial as India completed a remarkable one-wicket victory, dethroning the defending champions in a thrilling final.