DUBAI: In the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup, Pakistan delivered a crushing defeat to traditional rivals India by a massive margin of 191 runs in a completely one-sided contest reflecting similariries to Champions Trophy 2017.
India won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that Pakistan fully capitalized on, as the team itself preferred to bat first.
At the ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai, Pakistani opener Samir Manhas tore apart the Indian bowling attack, scripting history in the process.
The young batsman played an extraordinary innings of 172 runs off 113 balls, smashing 9 sixes and 17 fours. Ahmed Hussain was the next highest scorer with 56 runs, while Devendran claimed three wickets for India.
Faced with a mammoth target of 348 runs, India came under immense pressure right from the start.
This pressure was evident throughout their innings, as the Indian batsmen lost wickets in quick succession on the same pitch where Pakistan had piled up nearly 350 runs.
The entire Indian team was bowled out for 156 in just the 27th over. Ali Raza picked up four wickets to lead the Pakistani bowling attack.
With this commanding victory by 191 runs, Pakistan claimed the Under-19 Asia Cup title.
However, the match brought back vivid memories of the 2017 Champions Trophy final for many Pakistani cricket fans, as several aspects of this Under-19 Asia Cup final bore striking similarities to that iconic encounter.
For instance, in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, India had also won the toss and chose to field, inviting Pakistan to bat, a decision that backfired badly, just as it did in this match.
Similarly, in the 2017 final, a Pakistani opener scored a magnificent century to take the game away from India’s reach, and here too, the opener’s century gave Pakistan a psychological edge.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Sarfaraz Ahmed led Pakistan as captain on the field, whereas this time, he contributed as a mentor from outside the playing area.
Pakistan set a target exceeding 300 runs in the 2017 final as well, and in this match, they posted 347 runs.
In both games, Pakistani bowlers dismantled India’s top order early to seize control, leaving the batting lineup in disarray.
India were bowled out for just over 150 runs in the 2017 final, and they managed a similar score this time around.
In the 2017 final, seven Indian batsmen failed to reach double figures, while in this final, six could not do so.
