Ulva's last-ball magic seals India's thrilling U19 Asia Cup triumph over Pak
Al Amerat, Nov 14 (UNI) What a finish! What nerve! What a moment for a young man who chose the grandest possible stage to announce himself. Mohit Ulva held his nerve, kept his head and sent the ball racing to the wide long-off boundary off the final delivery as India snatched a sensational one-wicket victory over Pakistan to lift the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup.
In a final that had everything - towering scores, shifting fortunes, mounting tension and a finish worthy of the occasion - India chased down Pakistan's formidable 337 for nine, reaching 339 for nine in 50 overs.
At the heart of this extraordinary escape was Ulva, whose unbeaten 49 off just 26 balls, studded with five fours and three sixes, turned what looked like a lost cause into a triumph for the ages.
The equation was still daunting as India entered the closing stages. Manal Chauhan had given the chase fresh life with a blazing 47 off 32 balls, striking three fours and three sixes, but his dismissal at 309 for nine left India with just one wicket in hand and the mountain still to climb.
Then came Ulva's moment.
Mohammad Sayyam was entrusted with the penultimate over, and Ulva greeted him with a boundary before clearing the ropes with a magnificent six. Another four followed, with Chigurupati Venkata chipping in with a boundary as India plundered 17 runs from the over. Suddenly, the impossible was within reach.
Eight runs were needed from the final six balls. Pakistan required just one wicket. Leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain had the responsibility of closing the contest, and the tension was palpable.
Ulva and Venkata refused to buckle. They picked off singles, negotiated the pressure and brought the equation down to three runs from the final delivery. A tie would have taken the final into a Super Over.
But Ulva had other ideas. Advancing down the track, he met Hussain's final delivery and hammered it towards wide long-off. The ball bounced once before crossing the boundary.
India had done it! The players stormed onto the field, engulfed Ulva in celebrations, and the young match-winner wrapped himself in the Indian flag. It was a finish that will live long in the memory.
Venkata, unbeaten on 11 off eight balls, played a valuable supporting role in the nerve-racking final moments.
India's chase had begun on a solid note, with captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani and opener Aaryavir Sehwag putting on 95 runs for the first wicket. Sehwag made 58 off 61 balls, while Raichandani led from the front with a composed 80 off 101 deliveries.
But Pakistan fought back through regular strikes. Contributions from VK Vineeth (24) and Arjun Rajput (16) could not prevent the slide, and the dismissal of Anvay Dravid, run out for 19, left India in deep trouble at 217 for six.
Chauhan then provided the late impetus before Ulva took over the responsibility of finishing the job. Pakistan's Rizwanullah claimed three wickets for 53 runs, while Niqab Shafiq took two for 57, but neither could stop the late Indian surge.
Earlier, Pakistan had looked set to post an even more imposing total after opting to bat. Usman Khan produced a splendid 107 off 111 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes, while Abdul Qadir hammered 80 off just 54 deliveries, including eight sixes and three fours. Their 135-run partnership for the second wicket laid the foundation for Pakistan's commanding total.
Captain Farhan Yousaf added another 63 off 60 balls, with four fours and three sixes. Pakistan raced to 93 in the first 10 overs and kept India under pressure through much of the innings before finishing at 337 for nine.
India's bowling effort was led by Kavya Patel, who returned figures of four for 68, while Venkata claimed three for 40 and Arjun Rajput took one wicket.
Pakistan had the runs, the momentum and, with eight required in the final over and only one Indian wicket standing, seemingly the advantage. But cricket has a habit of reserving its finest theatre for those who refuse to surrender. On this occasion, that man was Mohit Ulva.
UNI BDN
