India, Pakistan share U-19 Asia Cup after tied final

Kuala Lumpur, July 1: India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand led from the front with a magnificent 121 in the thrilling tied final against Pakistan as both the countries shared the Asia Cup at the Kinrara Academy Oval here Sunday.

Chasing a target of 283, opening batsman Chand kept alive India's hope till the final over when seven runs were needed. But after Chand's dismissal, India were left with the task of scoring five off two balls.

Medium pacer Rush Kalaria, who had bagged 5-37, hit a four of the penultimate ball to bring the scores on par but departed in the final ball and India were left tied with Pakistan on 282 for eight in 50 overs.

India had started the chase well, with Chand and Baba Aparajith (90) adding 175 runs for the second wicket, having lost opening batsman Manan Vohra (11) in the fifth over.

After Aparajith's dismissal in the 37th over, Chand hardly got support at the other end as wickets started tumbling at regular intervals. Aaparjith's 90 came off 86 balls and were studded with 12 fours.

Chand, however, remained unfazed and kept the scoreboard ticking with his brilliant stroke play that drew applause from the Sunday crowd.

For Pakistan, fast bowler Ehsan Adil and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz bagged three wickets each while medium pacer Zia-ul-Haq bagged two for 53.

Earlier, put in to bat, Pakistan riding on a fine 134 by Sami Aslam made 282 for nine in 50 overs. Aslam hit 13 fours and three sixes in his 124-ball knock. Umar Waheed (48) and Saad Ali (23) were the other notable contributors.

Brief Scores: Pakistan U-19 282/9 (Sami Aslam 134, Umar Waheed 48; Rush Kalaria 5 for 37) tied with India Under-19 282/8 (Unmukt Chand 121, B Aparajith 90; Mohammad Nawaz 3 for 45, Ehsan Adil 3 for 68)