India’s U-19 team was blown away by Pakistan in the final of the U-19s Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. India had one bad day in the entire tournament and that unfortunately was in the final and that too against arch-rivals Pakistan. Barring the first few overs, India were never in the game as Pakistan dictated the terms. India were always falling behind and eventually never recovered enough to make it a contest.
Much was expected of the match as India had come through the tournament without much ado and Pakistan had a comfortable outing in the semifinal. Also, it was after 11 years that an India vs Pakistan final was being played in the Asia Cup. India, by virtue of their near flawless performance in the tournament, were the virtual favourites to win the title. They had beaten Pakistan by a hefty margin of 90 runs in the group stage.
But Pakistan had other ideas and opener Sameer Minhas left his rivals high and dry with a swashbuckling century that took Pakistan to an imposing 347 for eight. The Indian chase never happened as the batters were left more clueless than the bowlers and folded up for 156 in 26.2 overs. Pakistan won the bragging rights with a comprehensive 191 run victory.
The Indian reply did not take off as expected. There were no fireworks at the start or right through the innings, barring the late onslaught by Deepesh Devendran. Skipper Ayush Mhatre was the first to fall when he was caught by his counterpart Farhan Yousaf off Ali Raza for a mere two. Thereafter, much was expected of prolific Vaibhav Suryavanshi (26) and the consistent Aaron George (16) but both of them fell off consecutive balls to leave India tottering at 49 for three. Vihaan Malhotra (7) too didn’t last long and was bowled by Abdul Subhan.
India went into a free fall thereafter as none of the batters showed the inclination to stay at the wicket and put up a fight. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the Pakistani bowlers gave nothing away.
India were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs. They were able to cross the 150-run mark thanks to No.10 bat Deepesh Devendran’s 16-ball 36 which contained six fours and two sixes. Ali Raza, who had struck twice early on to derail the Indian chase, finished with figures of four for 42.
Minhas punishes India with spectacular century
Earlier, Pakistan openers Hamza Zahoor and Minhas got their side off to a bright start. Zahoor began the proceedings with a fine six off pacer Kishan Singh in the very first over. That virtually set the tone for the rest of the innings. Though Zahoor fell for 18, Minhas was unfazed. Minhas, who had hit an unbeaten half-century in the previous game, continued from where he left off. He single-handedly put Pakistan in the driver’s seat with a 113-ball 172 which contained 17 fours and nine sixes.
He was ably supported first by Usman Khan, who made 35 and shared a 92-run partnership for the second wicket. Minhas then combined with Ahmed Hussain and the duo left the Indian bowlers clueless. They added 137 for the third wicket which almost sealed India’s fate. Ahmed made 56 off 72 balls with three fours and a six.
By the time Minhas fell, Pakistan had crossed the 300-run mark. The Indians, however, pulled things back a bit in the last 10 overs to deny Pakistan a bigger total on the scoreboard.
During his spectacular innings, Minhas broke the record for most runs in boundaries in an innings in YODIs going past Shamiyal Hussain’s 94. His 172 is also the highest individual score in YODIs, surpassing Shahbaiz Khan’s 159.
Deepesh Devendran had the dubious record of conceding the most runs in an innings for India. He conceded 83 runs and went past RS Ambrish’s record of 80 runs.
SCOREBOARD
Pakistan: Hamza Zahoor c Mhatre b Henil Patel 18, Sameer Minhas c Chouhan b Deepesh 172, Usman Khan c Singh b Khilan Patel 35, Ahmed Hussain c Mhatre b Khilan Patel 56, Farhan Yousuf b Deepesh 19, Huzaifa Ahsan c Malhotra b Chouhan 0, Mohammed Shayan c Kundu b Henil Patel 7, Abdul Subhan c Henil Patel b Deepesh 2, Niqab Shafiq (not out) 12, Mohammad Sayyam (not out) 13; Extras: (LB1, W12) 13. Total: (For 8 wickets in 50 overs) 347.
Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-123, 3-260, 4-302, 5-307, 6-319, 7-319, 8-327.
Bowling: Kishan Singh 5-0-50-0, Henil Patel 10-0-62-2, Deepesh Devendran 10-0-83-3, Kanishk Chouhan 10-0-72-1, Khilan Patel 10-0-44-2, Ayush Mhatre 5-0-35-0.
India: Vaibhav Suryavanshi c Zahoor b Raza 26, Ayush Mhatre c Yousaf b Raza 2, Aaron George c Shayan b Sayyam 16, Vihaan Malhotra b Suban 7, Vedant Trivedi c Shafiq b Sayyam 9, Abhigyan Kundu c Shafiq b Subhan 13, Kanishk Chouhan c Yousaf b Raza 9, Khilan Patel c Sayyam b Ahsan 19, Henil Patel c Usman b Ahsan 6, Deepesh Devendran c Hussain b Raza 36, Kishan Singh (not out) 3; Extras: (B1, LB2, NB2, W5) 10. Total: (All out in 26.2 overs) 156.
Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-49, 2-49, 4-59, 5-68, 6-82, 7-94, 8-115, 9-120.
Bowling: Ali Raza 6.2-0-42-4, Mohammad Sayyam 5-1-38-2, Abdul Subhan 8-1-29-2, Niqab Shafiq 5-1-32-0, Huzaifa Ahsan 2-0-12-2.
