India snatched a dramatic one-wicket victory over defending champions Pakistan in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 final, chasing down a daunting 338-run target off the final delivery at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Saturday.
Aaryavir Sehwag and captain Lakshya Raichandani struck half-centuries before Manal Chauhan and Chigurupati Venkata produced a late rescue act to guide India to the title in a thrilling finish.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 337-9 after opening batter Usman Khan scored a century, supported by half-centuries from wicketkeeper Abdul Qadir and captain Farhan Yousaf.
India made a confident start to their chase, with Raichandani and Sehwag adding 95 for the opening wicket. Sehwag was the first to fall, caught at long-off off Niqab Shafiq for 58 from 61 balls.
Raichandani kept India in the hunt with an 80 off 101 deliveries, including five boundaries, sharing useful partnerships with VK Vineeth (24), Arjun Rajput (16) and Yashbardhan Chauhan (nine) before Ali Raza dismissed him in the 37th over.
Pakistan tightened their grip as India slipped to 217-6, with Anvay Dravid (19) also departing. Aryan Savsani added nine before Rizwanullah struck, while Mohammad Sayyam removed Kavya Paresh Patel for a duck to leave India in further trouble at 252-8.
But Manal Chauhan kept the chase alive with 47 off 32 balls, including three sixes and three fours. He shared a crucial stand with Mohit Ulva, who took charge in the closing overs.
Pakistan appeared to have regained control when Shafiq dismissed Chauhan in the 48th over, but Ulva held his nerve, finishing unbeaten on 49 from 26 deliveries, with eight boundaries, including three sixes. Venkata also played a decisive role in the late charge as India completed the chase on the last ball.
Rizwanullah finished with three wickets for 53 runs, while Shafiq claimed two. Hasnain Abbas Dar, Raza and Sayyam took one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Farhan elected to bat after winning the toss. The opening pair added 62 before Hayam Khan fell for 21.
Qadir and Usman then put together a commanding 135-run partnership for the second wicket. Qadir struck an aggressive 80 from 54 balls, hitting eight sixes and three fours, while Usman anchored the innings.
Usman went on to make 107 from 111 deliveries, including 11 fours and three sixes, before Farhan added 63 off 60 balls to strengthen Pakistan’s total.
Pakistan were well placed at 305-4 but lost five wickets for 32 runs in the closing stages. Kavya Paresh Patel led India’s bowling with four wickets, while Venkata claimed three.
