India defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a dramatic final of cricket’s Under-19 Asia Cup in Oman on Saturday, completing a record-extending ninth title after a late recovery at the Oman Academy Cricket Ground in Al Amerat, just outside Muscat. Chasing 338 in the 50-over contest, India slipped to 252-8 in the 42nd over before Manal Chauhan and Mohit Ulva combined for a decisive 57-run ninth-wicket partnership, with Ulva striking the winning boundary on the final ball when three runs were still needed.
Key Takeaways: India won its ninth Under-19 Asia Cup title and first since 2021 after chasing 338 against Pakistan; Chauhan made 47 from 32 balls and Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 from 26; the teams again did not exchange the customary post-match handshake amid continuing cricketing and political tensions.
The final between the two South Asian rivals again showed how closely contested India-Pakistan cricket can be at every age level, with momentum shifting repeatedly before India’s lower middle order produced one of the tournament’s most significant recoveries. Beyond the result, the match highlighted the importance of youth tournaments as both a competitive pathway and a setting where sporting conduct is closely watched by former players, fans and officials.
Chauhan’s 47 from 32 deliveries revived the chase after India appeared to be losing control, while Ulva’s unbeaten 49 from 26 balls carried the side home, including the boundary that settled the contest on the last delivery. Afterward, Ulva said the tournament had not gone well for him personally, but he believed he could deliver on the day and credited Chauhan’s support for helping him finish the innings.
The victory, however, was followed by scenes that drew criticism, as Indian players appeared to direct aggressive gestures toward Pakistani opponents. One player was seen shouting and gesturing in the face of Pakistan wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, who did not respond, while others kicked their legs toward the Pakistan dressing room as team management attempted to restrain them. Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf said players represent not only their country but also their upbringing, values and ethics, urging them to remain respectful and composed in victory or defeat. Several Indian supporters also condemned the display, with one writing that the conduct was uncouth and that a cricket match is not a war.
Both teams also skipped the customary post-match handshake, a practice that has become increasingly common in Pakistan-India fixtures after political tensions spilled onto the field over the past year. Last year, then-India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during an Asia Cup match in September and declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Similar no-handshake scenes were reported in Pakistan-India matches at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Sri Lanka, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, and the Women’s Asia Cup, where India’s women’s team also refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi after winning the final in Dubai in September. The Under-19 final is likely to intensify discussion about sportsmanship and ceremonial conduct in youth cricket, with future regional and international tournaments expected to face closer scrutiny over how teams handle both victory and defeat.
Source: www.aljazeera.com