Hamza Zahoor slammed an unbeaten century to guide Pakistan to a thrilling three-wicket win over India in the Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup Group A encounter at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Pakistan needed four runs to win and so did Zahoor with 12 balls remaining. The No.7 batter hit the ball through the cover region completed both and went off the around the ground with his teammates chasing him.
Zahoor took out a piece of paper that said: “Tomorrow match 50 Hamza Zahoor.”
He came out to bat when Pakistan was reduced to 61 for five inside 15 overs chasing a 209-run target. Zahoor revived Pakistan’s innings with a 107-run stand off 140 balls with Hasnain Abbas Dar, who scored 38.
Zahoor smartly picked his gaps to rotate strike and was also quick to pick length to slog whenever he got an opportunity. He hit 10 fours and three sixes during his innings.
Even when Manal Chauhan, who picked Abdul Qadir and Ahmed Hussain, had Hasnain caught, Zahoor made sure he kept the scoreboard ticking from the other end and fittingly finished the game.
Earlier, Lakshya Raichandani’s decision to bat first came to bite immediately when the captain shouldered arms only to see the off stump getting shattered two balls into the match.
Ali Raza also had VK Vineeth and later Yashveer Goud to finish with three wickets. Rizwanullah also had three wickets for himself as India kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
However, India fought through Arjun Rajput, who was proactive in his shot-making. Rajput hit 11 fours and five sixes during his innings and got India past the 200-run mark. Kavya Patel also hit 23 batting at No.9 but was trapped in front off Mohammad Sayyam as India got out in the 47th over with 208 on board. Even when Indian bowlers fought hard to get the game close, the score wasn’t enough to get the win.
Pakistan is currently top of the Group A with four points in two games while India is second with one win and a loss.
Published on Nov 08, 2026
