Wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor scored an unbeaten, match-winning century as he steered defending champions Pakistan U19 to a three-wicket victory over India U19 in a Group A match of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Oman on Sunday.

Hamza’s 10th boundary not only earned him a well-deserved century but also carried Pakistan over the line, which had looked difficult after they slipped to 61 for five in the 15th over in pursuit of 209. But the youngster held his nerve and single-handedly took his side home with 11 balls and three wickets to spare.

This was Pakistan’s fifth victory over India at this level since 2021. India have won two matches.

Hamza, who batted at No. 7 and walked in at a precarious stage, faced 108 balls, and his innings included three sweetly timed sixes. He had completed his half-century from 54 balls with four fours and three sixes.

He added 107 for the sixth wicket with Hasnain Abbas Dar and an unbroken 26 for the eighth wicket with Niqab Shafiq. Hasnain showed a lot of guts, scoring 38 from 67 balls with two fours.

Earlier, Pakistan’s young pace trio of Ali Raza, Rizwanullah and Mohammad Seyam rattled India’s top order before left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq unsettled the middle order, as India were dismissed for 208 in 46.3 overs after being sent into bat.

Ali Raza returned figures of 10-0-37-3, Rizwanullah 7-1-24-3 and Seyam 8.3-2-27-1, as the three bowlers produced pace and floored India’s batters. Niqab backed the pacers with figures of 10-0-42-3.

India’s blushes were saved by Arjun Rajput, who scored 107 from 85 balls with 11 fours and five sixes. He walked out to bat at No. 5 with India reeling at 22 for three and was the seventh batter dismissed, at 170 in 35.2 overs.

This was Pakistan’s second successive victory, earning them a place in the semi-finals from Group A with a match against Nepal in hand.

Pakistan U19 beat India U19 by three wickets, Oman (Group A)

India U19 208 all-out, 46.3 overs (Arjun Rajput 107, Kavya Paresh Patel 23, Aaryavir Sehwag 22; Rizwanullah 3-24, Ali Raza 3-37, Niqab Shafiq 3-42)

Pakistan U19 209-7, 48.1 overs (Hamza Zahoor 100 not out, Hasnain Abbas Dar 38, Abdul Qadir 20, Usman Khan 16; Manal Chauhan 3-32, Mohit Ulva 2-45)

Player of the match – Hamza Zahoor (Pakistan U19)

Previous result:

Pakistan U19 beat UAE U19 by nine wickets, Al Amerat, Oman (Group A)