Pakistan beat India U19 by 3 wickets as Hamza Zahoor hits unbeaten ton
Synopsis
Pakistan were staring down the barrel at 61 for 5 chasing 209, but Hamza Zahoor's unbeaten 107-ball century from number seven turned the match on its head. India captain Lakshya Raichandani admitted his side were 20-30 runs short — a gap that proved decisive as Pakistan completed a three-wicket win with 11 balls to spare in Muscat.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan beat India Under-19 by three wickets in a Group A match of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Muscat on 8 November 2026 .
India were bowled out for 208 , with Arjun Rajput top-scoring with 107 after his side slumped to 42 for 4 .
Hamza Zahoor struck an unbeaten 100 off 108 balls from number seven, rescuing Pakistan from 61 for 5 .
Pakistan won with 11 balls to spare; Zahoor was named Player of the Match .
India captain Lakshya Raichandani said his team were ' 20-30 runs short ' and acknowledged the bowling could have been sharper.
It is Pakistan's second successive win in the tournament.
India Under-19 captain Lakshya Raichandani conceded his side fell 20-30 runs short of a par total after Hamza Zahoor's unbeaten century from number seven steered Pakistan to a three-wicket win in a Group A match of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Muscat on 8 November 2026. The result hands Pakistan a second successive victory in the tournament and leaves India needing to regroup ahead of their remaining group-stage fixtures.
How the Match Unfolded
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, India were reduced to a precarious 42 for 4 before Arjun Rajput rescued the innings with a sparkling 107. A supporting 20-run contribution from Kavya Patel helped, but India were eventually bowled out for 208, a total Raichandani later acknowledged was below what the pitch demanded.
Pakistan's chase began shakily, with the side collapsing to 61 for 5 and the game seemingly tilting back towards India. However, Zahoor, entering at number seven, produced a composed 100 not out off 108 balls, guiding Pakistan home with 11 balls to spare, alongside a supporting knock from Hasnain Dar.
Raichandani's Post-Match Assessment
'Yeah, they weren't enough. We were 20-30 runs short, but overall there were some good innings from Arjun and a good contribution from KP (Kavya Patel). Yeah, it was a really good innings, and if one would have stayed there with him (Arjun), it could have been a little bit more total,' Raichandani said at the post-match presentation.
He acknowledged the bowling could have been sharper once Pakistan were in trouble. 'We could have bowled a little bit better. But overall, it was really good,' he added, noting the positives to carry forward from the contest.
Zahoor and Yousaf Speak
Named Player of the Match, Zahoor revealed his simple but effective mindset: 'Since I had to go all the way, my mindset was that I would stay till the end and win it.' He dismissed any suggestion of pressure during the late-innings wobble, saying he was 'enjoying the game' throughout.
Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf praised the match-winner unreservedly. 'I am not surprised about Hamza. I know the ability of the guy. I really appreciate the way he assessed the condition and played according to the situation,' Yousaf said. He also credited the conditions, noting there was 'a little bit of moisture on the pitch' that Pakistan exploited early with the ball.
What This Means Going Forward
Pakistan's ability to recover from 61 for 5 underlines the depth and composure in their lower order, while India's middle-order fragility — exposed after the early collapse — is a concern Raichandani will need to address. This is the second time in the tournament Pakistan have won from a difficult position, and Yousaf confirmed his side will approach their next group match 'with full intent' before looking ahead to knockout stages. India, meanwhile, retain the batting firepower shown by Rajput, but converting strong individual knocks into team totals will be the key lesson from this defeat.
Point of View
Exposing how thin the support batting remains at this level. The collapse to 42 for 4 early and the inability of partners to stay with Rajput are recurring vulnerabilities in India's youth cricket — plenty of individual talent, but fragile collective cohesion under pressure. Pakistan's win also highlights something underappreciated: lower-order batting intelligence. Zahoor's calm at 61 for 5 was not luck — it was strategic temperament that India's youth programme would do well to study. For the selectors and coaches, the question is whether this defeat becomes a learning moment or a footnote.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup match in Muscat?
Pakistan beat India Under-19 by three wickets in their Group A match of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Muscat on 8 November 2026. Pakistan chased down 209 with 11 balls to spare, led by Hamza Zahoor's unbeaten century.
How did Hamza Zahoor perform in the match?
Hamza Zahoor scored an unbeaten 100 off 108 balls batting at number seven, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious 61 for 5. He was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
How many runs did India score and who top-scored?
India were bowled out for 208, with Arjun Rajput top-scoring with 107 after his side had slipped to 42 for 4. Captain Lakshya Raichandani later said the team were 20-30 runs short of a par total.
What did India U19 captain Lakshya Raichandani say after the loss?
Raichandani admitted the total was not enough and that his side were 20-30 runs short. He also acknowledged the bowling could have been sharper when Pakistan were 61 for 5, but said there were positives to take forward.
What did Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf say about Hamza Zahoor?
Yousaf said he was not surprised by Zahoor's innings, stating he knew the ability of the player. He praised Zahoor for assessing conditions and playing according to the situation, and also credited Hasnain Dar for his support.
