Amaan's Unbeaten 122 Powers India U-19 to a 211-Run Victory Over Japan in Asia Cup
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Sharjah, Dec 2 (NationPress) Captain Mohammed Amaan delivered an outstanding performance, scoring an unbeaten century, while Ayush Mhatre and K.P Karthikeya contributed vital half-centuries as India U-19 amassed a towering score and defeated Japan U-19 by 211 runs in a Group A clash of the U-19 Asia Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.
This victory allowed India U-19 to bounce back from their earlier league-stage loss to their longstanding rivals Pakistan and kept their hopes alive in the tournament.
Amaan, who was named Player of the Match, smashed 122 not out off 118 balls, with seven boundaries. Opener Ayush Mhatre also shone with a quick-fire 29-ball 54, while Karthikeya made a solid contribution with 57 runs off 49 balls, including five fours and a six, leading India U-19 to a total of 339/6 in their allotted 50 overs after Japan U-19 opted to bowl first.
Mhatre and his 13-year-old opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi put together a solid partnership, adding 65 runs for the first wicket in the eighth over before Suryavanshi fell to a catch by Timothy Moore off Charles Hinze. Mhatre was dismissed by Aarav Tiwari, caught by Abe, when the score reached 81.
Following that, Amaan and Karthikeya built a robust partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket, bringing the score to 261 just before the final overs. Karthikeya was eventually caught by Moore off Hugo Kelly.
Amaan continued to accumulate runs, while Hardik Raj added a brisk 25 not out from 12 balls, helping India finish with a formidable 339/6. For Japan U-19, Hugo Kelly (2-42) and Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (2-84) were the pick of the bowlers.
In their chase, Japan U-19 started well, with Hugo Kelly and Nihar Parmar putting up 50 runs for the opening wicket. Parmar was dismissed for 14, while Kelly managed a slow half-century, reaching 50 runs from 111 balls.
However, Japan U-19 soon lost quick wickets, and despite Charles Hinze scoring an unbeaten 35, the remaining batsmen struggled against the disciplined Indian bowling attack.
Pacer Chetan Sharma (2-14), Karthikeya (2-21), and Hardik Raj (2-9 off eight overs) effectively dismantled the Japan U-19 middle order, restricting them to 128/8 in their 50 overs and securing an emphatic victory by 211 runs.
