Wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor produced a composed, unbeaten 100 off 108 balls from number seven to rescue Pakistan from a precarious 61/5 and seal a three-wicket victory over India in a Group A clash of the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup in Muscat on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Chasing 209, Pakistan got home in 48.1 overs, with 11 balls to spare, despite being reduced to five down inside 15 overs.

Rajput's Blazing Century Sets the Platform

India struggled to build a foundation after opting to bat first. Captain Lakshya Raichandani fell for a duck, while Aaryavir Sehwag (22), VK Vineeth (8), and Yashbardhan Chauhan (1) followed cheaply, reducing the side to 42/4 in just 16.4 overs against a disciplined Pakistan pace attack.

It was Arjun Rajput, hailing from Jalandhar in Punjab, who steadied the ship emphatically. The right-hander smashed 11 fours and five sixes in a blistering 107 off 85 balls, forming partnerships of 44 with wicketkeeper Anvay Dravid (10) and 64 with Manal Chauhan (11), dominating the scoring in both stands.

Rajput's dismissal in the 36th over with India at 170/7 triggered a collapse, as Yashveer Goud (4) and Mohit Ulva (7) fell swiftly to leave the innings in tatters at 195/9. A composed last-wicket stand of 13 runs between Kavya Patel (23) and Ishan Sood (2 not out) pushed India to 208 all out in 46.3 overs. For Pakistan, medium pacers Ali Raza (3-37) and Rizwanullah (3-24) were the chief destroyers, with left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq (3-42) also making a significant impact.

Pakistan's Chase Unravels — Then Zahoor Takes Over

India's bowlers hit back hard in the chase. Sood and Ulva removed both openers early, while Manal Chauhan bowled Abdul Qadir and trapped Ahmed Hussain lbw. Kavya Patel then dismissed Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf, leaving the defending champions reeling at 61/5 in 14.4 overs.

That is when Zahoor counter-attacked decisively. Striking sixes off Kavya Patel, Ulva, and Yashveer Goud, and supported by a measured 38 from Hasnain Abbas Dar, the pair built a crucial 107-run sixth-wicket stand to swing the match firmly in Pakistan's favour.

India clawed back when Manal (3-32) had Dar caught at mid-wicket in the final over of his spell, and Ulva removed Sayyam to leave Pakistan needing 26 more with three wickets in hand. Zahoor, however, kept his composure — shielding lower-order partner Niqab Shafiq from the strike and finding the boundary whenever the opportunity arose.

The Zahoor Moment That Defined the Chase

Zahoor's fifty had arrived in the 31st over, and he survived a close lbw appeal in the 35th. When he drove past extra cover in the 49th over to reach his century, he had not only won the match but fulfilled a personal milestone in remarkable fashion. Moments after the final wicket was secured, Zahoor pulled a handwritten note from his pocket and held it up to Pakistan supporters — it read 'Tomorrow match 50 Hamza Zahoor', a target he had effectively doubled on the day.

Notably, India were also hindered by fielding lapses — opener Usman Khan was dropped twice in the early stages of Pakistan's chase, and Sood conceded two wides in a costly 48th over, details that could prove significant in what was ultimately a narrow defeat.

Context and What's Next

The defeat is India's first in the tournament, having opened with a commanding 10-wicket thrashing of Nepal. India will look to regroup quickly when they face the UAE on Tuesday. Pakistan, the defending champions, will draw significant confidence from their comeback win, particularly Zahoor's mature knock under pressure in a knockout-style atmosphere.

Brief Scores: India 208 all out in 46.3 overs (Arjun Rajput 107, Kavya Patel 23; Ali Raza 3-37, Niqab Shafiq 3-42) lost to Pakistan 209/7 in 48.1 overs (Hamza Zahoor 100 not out, Hasnain Abbas Dar 38; Manal Chauhan 3-32, Mohit Ulva 2-45) by three wickets.