Sat Nov 30 12:16:07 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Posts Mammoth Total, India Stumbles in U19 Asia Cup Clash

**Dubai, UAE:** A high-voltage encounter between India and Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup 2024 saw Pakistan set a challenging 282-run target for India. Shahzad Khan anchored Pakistan’s innings with a stunning century (159 runs off 147 balls, including 5 fours and 10 sixes), laying the foundation for a strong total despite a slow start. He and Usman Khan (60 runs) put on a crucial 160-run opening partnership before Samarth Nagraj’s three wickets and Ayush Mhatre’s two wickets stemmed the flow. Pakistan ultimately finished on 281/7.

In response, India’s chase faltered early. Despite Nikhil Kumar’s fighting fifty (66 balls), wickets tumbled regularly, leaving India struggling at 204/9 at the 42nd over. They required 78 runs to win but ultimately fell short. Early wickets to Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi put India on the back foot, and the loss of captain Mohammad Aman (16 runs) further hampered their progress.

While India’s bowling attack showed glimpses of promise, Pakistan’s batting prowess, particularly Shahzad Khan’s exceptional knock, proved too much to overcome. The match highlighted the intense rivalry between these two cricketing nations, even at the U19 level. This was the first match for both teams in Group A of the tournament, where India, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with eight titles in ten editions, faced a significant upset.

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