Dubai: A disciplined bowling performance, led by all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan and seamer Deepesh Devendran, powered India to a comprehensive 90-run victory over Pakistan in their Group A match of the Under-19 Asia Cup, here Sunday.
After being put in to bat, India posted a competitive 240 all out in 46.1 overs, riding on a fluent 85 from Aaron George and useful contributions from captain Ayush Mhatre (38) and Chouhan (46).
Pakistan were then bundled out for 150 in 41.2 overs, never quite recovering from the early setbacks in a chase of 241.
India got off to a brisk start with skipper Mhatre striking four boundaries and three sixes during his 25-ball knock before Mohammad Sayyam removed both openers inside the first 10 overs.
George then held the innings together, finding the gaps consistently and adding stability through the middle phase. Chouhan’s late flourish, which included three sixes, helped India cross the 230-run mark despite losing wickets regularly.
For Pakistan, Sayyam (3/67) and Abdul Subhan (3/42) were the standout bowlers, while Niqab Shafiq chipped in with two wickets.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as they slipped to 30 for four, with Devendran striking thrice in a sharp opening spell.
Captain Farhan Yousaf (23) and Huzaifa Ahsan attempted to steady the innings, but Chouhan’s incisive off-spin broke the resistance. Ahsan top-scored for Pakistan with 70 off 83 balls, but lacked support at the other end.
Chouhan finished with 3 for 33, while Devendran returned figures of 3 for 16 as India maintained a firm grip on the contest throughout to register a dominant win in the marquee Group A clash.
The players of the two teams did not shake hands with each other at the toss and after the match, continuing the ‘no-handshake’ protocol observed by the Indian men’s team during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, where they refused to receive the winner’s trophy from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Brief scores:
India U-19: 240 all out in 46.1 overs (Aaron George 85, Kanishk Chouhan 46; Mohammad Sayyam 3/67, Abdul Subhan 3/42).
Pakistan U-19: 150 all out in 41.2 overs (Huzaifa Ahsan 70; Kanishk Chouhan 3/33, Deepesh Devendran 3/16).
