India took on arch-rival Pakistan in their first match of the ongoing ACC U-19 Asia Cup on Saturday (November 30). The high intensity clash took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Led by Mohamed Amaan, the Boys in Blue playing eleven also featured 13-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi who recently bagged an IPL contract worth Rs 1.1 crore with the Rajasthan Royals (RR). He opened the innings for India with Ayush Mhatre.
The young batter failed to live up to the expectations as he was dismissed for 1 off 9 deliveries against Pakistan. Raza Ali took his wicket with a fine length delivery, the left-handed batter tried to defend it but nicked it back to the Pakistan skipper and wicket-keeper Saad Baig.
During his stay in the middle, Suryavanshi looked restless and in a hurry to get going. After a few miss-hits he lost his wicket leaving India reeling at 28/2 in 4.1 overs chasing 282 runs.
Before the match, on being asked about the hype and trends on social media about him. Vaibhav said, "I'm currently focused on my game. I'm not bothered by what's happening around," said Vaibhav before the India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup match.
He was also asked about his hundred in the Youth Test against to which he replied, "It was a good feeling to score a hundred on the debut and it was a good experience for him to play red ball cricket and he is excited to have a knock in the white ball as well."
"I look up to Brian Lara. I watch his innings and feel inspired to play like him. I try to practice and apply his style in my game," he concluded.
Coming back to the match, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig won the toss and elected to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (November 30).
Opener Usman Khan and Shahzaib Khan got their team to a steady start in the Under-19 Asia Cup match against India. Ayush Mahtre found the first breakthrough for India as he dismissed Usman Khan for 60 off 94 balls after Nikhil Kumar completed the catch.
Moments later, another Pakistan batter Haroon Arshad also fell prey to Mhatre scoring just 3 off 6 deliveries.
Shahzaib Khan was in tremendous rhythm and the India bowlers had no reply to his terrific batting. Khan soon completed his century and single-handedly got his team to a respectable total on a wicket which favours the bowlers.
In the end, Pakistan scored 281 runs in 50 overs losing seven wickets. Shahzaib Khan was the stand-out performer who scored 159 off just 147 deliveries with 5 fours and 10 sixes. Faham-ul-Haq 4 (7) and skipper Saad Baid 4 (7) failed to give a finishing touch to Pakistan's innings.
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