Dubai, Dec 14 (UNI) Kanishk Chouhan delivered a match-defining all-round performance as India Under-19 outplayed Pakistan Under-19 by 90 runs in the fifth Group A match of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 at the ICC Academy Ground here today.
Chouhan first made his presence felt with the bat, walking in during the latter stages of India’s innings and counter-attacking with a crucial 46 off 46 balls. His knock, laced with two fours and three sixes, swung the momentum back in India’s favour after a brief slowdown and helped lift the total to a competitive 240 in 46.1 overs.
If his batting hurt Pakistan, his bowling sealed their fate. Introduced in the middle overs, Chouhan applied the squeeze immediately, breaking partnerships and derailing the chase. He removed Usman Khan early, then returned to dismiss Abdul Subhan before delivering the decisive blow by ending Huzaifa Ahsan’s lone resistance. Chouhan finished with three wickets, each strike tightening India’s grip on the contest.
Pakistan’s chase never recovered from the pressure created by Chouhan and the Indian bowlers. Although Huzaifa Ahsan battled his way to a gritty 70, his dismissal at the hands of Chouhan effectively shut the door on any hopes of a comeback. Skipper Farhan Yousaf’s 23 offered brief resistance, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
Earlier, India’s innings had been anchored by Aaron George’s fluent 85 and supported by Ayush Mhatre’s brisk 38, before Chouhan’s late surge ensured India crossed the 200-mark comfortably. The bowlers then backed up the batsmen with a disciplined display, with Deepesh Devendran and Kishan Kumar Singh providing support to Chouhan’s decisive spell.
The commanding victory strengthened India Under-19’s position in Group A, but the spotlight firmly belonged to Chouhan, whose timely runs and incisive bowling turned the match decisively in India’s favour.
