Dubai: Pakistan beat arch-rivals India by 43 runs in their first match of the U-19 Asia Cup on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Green Shirts’ win comes amid the ongoing Champions Cup debacle between neighboring nations.
Pakistan – known for their powerful bowling attack – proved themselves once again as they dismantled an emerging Indian batting line-up as they chased a target of 282 runs.
Leading the charge from the front is bowler Ali Raza, who has caught attention for his recent performance, taking three wickets while Abdul Sobhan and Fahmul Haq each bagged a wicket.
Nikhil Kumar’s crucial wicket was taken by Naveed Ahmed Khan, after he became the highest run-scorer for his team in today’s match.
He scored 67 runs and hit six fours and three sixes.
Pakistan opener Usman Khan, who scored 60 runs in the first innings, also dismissed India’s Mohammad Aman.
India were bowled out for 238 runs in the 48th over as Pakistan registered a victory over their arch rivals.
Earlier, Pakistan invited India to field first and put up a total of 281 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
The opening duo of Usman and Shahzeb Khan smashed a 160-run partnership as Shahzeb went on to slam 159 runs off 147 balls.
His innings included five boundaries and 10 maximums. With his 10 sixes, Shahzeb also managed to break the record for most sixes in Under-19 ODI matches.
The team soon faced a batting collapse with only Mohamed Riaz scoring in double figures after dismissing the opening pair.
India’s Samarth Nagaraj got three Pakistani batsmen out.