Shock defeat for Boys in Blue

India overpowered by Minhas' big hundred and pacers as Pakistan clinch title

- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE

India faltered against the big-hitting Sameer Minhas and the extra zip of pacers, suffering a massive 191-run defeat against Pakistan in a one-sided 50-over Under-19 Asia Cup final, here Sunday.

Pakistan lifted their second U19 Asia Cup, and as it is the norm now, there was no formal greetings between the players of two teams.

Once Pakistan posted a mammoth 347 for eight, riding on Minhas’ 172 (113b, 17x4, 9x6) they needed a lionhearted chase to clinch a ninth title in the tournament.

But the tall Pakistan pace troika ~ Ali Reza (4/42), Mohammad Sayyam (2/38) and Abdul Subhan (2/29) ~ hurried their top-order with consistent hard-lengths as India folded for 156 in 26.2 overs.

India's chase began on an explosive note despite losing Ayush Mhatre early. Vaibhav Suryavanshi hammered Raza for two sixes and a four to take 21 runs in the first over.

Aaron George too began brightly, caressing Sayyam for three fours in a row in the fourth over as India raced off the block at 10 runs an over.