Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten century steers Pakistan to three-wicket win over India

No.7 bat Hamza Zahoor smashed an unbeaten century to help Pakistan score a three-wicket win over arch-rivals India in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Asia Cup at Al Amarat in Oman on Sunday.

Chasing 209 for victory, the Indian bowlers were all over the Pakistan batters as they knocked off half the team with just 61 on the board.

Ishan Sood began the dance when he had Jahangir Bilal (5) caught behind by wicketkeeper Anvay Dravid with 15 on the board. Ulva then had Usman Khan (16) also caught behind by Dravid to reduce Pakistan to 33 for two.

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Abdul Qadir and Ahmed Hussain made a minor recovery as they looked to lay a platform for the chase. But Manal Chauhan got into the act by castling Qadir, who made 20 off 27 balls with two fours and a six. Four runs later, Kavya Paresh Patel struck by having skipper Farhan Yousaf (2) caught by Manal Chauhan.

To make matters worse, Chauhan was back in the swing of things as he trapped Ahmed Hussain (8) leg before, and Pakistan were looking at a big defeat as they had lost five wickets with just 61 on the board.

Hamza rewrites the script

Wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor joined Hasnain Abbas Dar in the middle, and the duo scripted a remarkable comeback. They took the attack to the Indian camp and unsettled their rivals. Suddenly, the Indians came under pressure and wilted. Hamza and Hasnain added 107 off 140 balls for the sixth wicket with Husnain scoring 37 off 64 balls and Hamza doing the bulk of the scoring with a 76-ball 68.

Chauhan give India a glimmer of hope as he got rid of Hasnain by having him caught by Arjun Rajput for 38 off 67 balls with two fours.

Mohit Ulva made it tighter by having Mohammad Sayyam (4) caught by Dravid and Pakistan were 183 for seven and the match was still open.

But Hamza was in no mood to give it up. Along with Niqab Shafiq (2 not out), Hamza steered Pakistan to 209 for seven in 48.1 overs for a memorable win for his side. The win also took Pakistan to the top of Group A with four points, while India are in second position with two points.

Hamza remained unbeaten on 100 off 108 balls with 10 fours and three sixes. Mohit Chauhan was the most successful Indian bowler with figures of three for 32. Dravid had a good day behind the stumps with three catches.

Arjun Rajput to India’s rescue with a ton

Earlier, Indian skipper Lakshya Raichandani won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first, but the move backfired. Lakskhya (0) was the first to go when he was bowled by Ali Raza with one on the board.

Arjun Rajput announced himself on the big scene with a fighting century against Pakistan. Pics: X

India continued to flounder as they lost VK Vineeth (8) and Yashvardhan Chauhan (1) with 22 on the board. Aaryavir Sehwag (22) to fell soon thereafter and India were 42 for four.

Arjun Rajput and Anvay Dravid then tried to stem the rot with a 44-run partnership which was ended by Niqab Shafiq when he had Anvay (10) caught by Farhan Yousaf.

Thereafter, it was left to Arjun to shoulder the entire responsibility of taking India to a decent score.  Arjun did his part admirably as he kept one end up as well as getting runs on the board. Arjun added 64 for the sixth wicket with Manal Chauhan (11) to keep India in the hunt. Arjun finally fell to Rizwanullah after making 107 off just 85 balls with 11 fours and five sixes.

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The Indian tail waged enough to take India past the 200-run mark. Thanks to Kavya Paresh Patel’s 23, India were able to reach 208 in 46.3 overs.

The first 10 overs and the last 6.3 overs cost India dearly as the batters were unable to make use of the restrictions. In the first 10 overs, India got only 21 while losing two wickets. From 40.1 overs to 46.3 overs, India again got only 20 runs while losing the last two wickets.

Brief scores: India 208 in 46.3 overs (Aaryavir Sehwag 22, Arjun Rajput 107, Kavya Paresh Patel 23; Ali Raza 3/37, Rizwanullah 3/24, Niqab Shafiq 3/42) lost to Pakistan 209 for seven in 48.1 overs (Hasnain Abbas Dar 38, Hamza Zahoor 100 not out; Mohit Chauhan 3/32, Mohit Ulva 2/45).