India lost to Pakistan by 43 runs in its first game of the Under-19 Asia Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Saturday.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 281 for seven in 50 overs on the back of a 160-run partnership for the first wicket between Usman Khan and Shahzaib Khan.
Shahzaib scored 159 of just 147 ball with the help of 10 sixes and five boundaries.
For India, Samarth Nagaraj was the pick of the bowlers. He picked up 3/45 in 10 overs. Ayush Mhatre also picked up two crucial wickets to break Pakistan’s momentum.
In reply, India was bowled out for 238 in 48 overs. Nikhil Kumar was India’s highest run-scorer with 67 runs off 77 balls.
Ali Raza and Abdul Subhan wreaked havoc on India’s top order, sending half the side packing for a paltry 134 in just 30 overs.
Teen prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s struggles against seam bowling were apparent during his brief stay as India U-19 comprising IPL contract owners struggled badly.
Suryavanshi, who has had a poor Ranji season, just got a solitary run as tall medium pacers Raza and Subhan troubled him a lot.
A lot is expected of the Rajasthan Royals’ Rs 1.10-crore signing but at 13 years and 8 months, he needs a lot of work to be consistent at U-19 international level.
Suryavanshi (1), Ayush Mhatre (20) and C Andre Siddarth’s (15) dismissals cast a long shadow over India’s innings, leaving the middle-order to shoulder a daunting task. Though Nikhil, Kiran Chormale, and Harvansh Pangalia fought valiantly, it was ultimately a losing battle.
In the bowling department, India depended on their two spinners — leg-spinner Mohammed Ennan (0/34 in 2 overs) and Hardik Raj, and both were taken to task by Shahzaib.
Especially Ennan, who either bowled half-trackers or over-pitched deliveries, all of which were dispatched into the stands.
In fact, Mhatre (2/30 in 7 overs) had to be brought in to cover for him and promptly got a couple of wickets, but Shahzaib had done enough damage and 280-plus was a winning total at the U-19 level.
Brief scores
Pakistan U-19: 281/7; 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 159; Samarth Nagraj 3/45, Ayush Mhatre 2/30) b India 238; 47.1 overs (Nikhil Kumar 67, Ayush Mhatre 20, C Andre Siddarth 15, Vaibhav Suryavanshi 1)
With inputs from PTI
