All-round Chouhan takes India to convincing win against Pakistan

If India Under-19s vs Pakistan Under-19s was the most high-profile contest of the ongoing Under-19s Asia Cup, then the contest part of it was all but over by the 14th over of the chase. Deepesh Devendran led the way with the ball, striking three times to reduce Pakistan to 30 for 4 after India made 240 in a game reduced to 49 overs due to rain.

A brief rebuilding stand between captain Farhan Yousaf and Huzaifa Ahsan gave Pakistan hope. But after starring with the bat, Kanishk Chouhan got the second of his three wickets to dismiss Yousaf and break the 47-run partnership. Eventually, India eased past Pakistan, who were bowled out for 150, with only three batters getting into double-figures. Ahsan made the only substantial contribution of the innings - 70 off 83 - and was the eighth to fall as Chouhan's third wicket.

India could have had a much bigger total to defend but lost their way with the bat. They were 73 for 1 in nine overs after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. But next over, captain Ayush Mhatre fell on 38 off 25 balls, and India slowed down a bit.

Three wickets in a ten-over period left India at 113 for 4, but Aaron George and Abhigyan Kundu added 60, the highest partnership of the game. Abdul Subhan hit back for Pakistan by getting rid of both batters within three balls. Subhan first had Kundu caught behind for 22 to start the 32nd over. Two balls later, Subhan got George, who finished with 85 off 88 deliveries with 12 fours and a six.

India were 174 for 6 and that is when Chouhan played a crucial knock. His run-a-ball 46 from No. 7 dragged the total to 240. Chouhan smashed two fours and three sixes to play what turned out to be a match-winning innings, and take home the Player-of-the-Match award for his all-round show.

The India and Pakistan players continued to follow the no-handshake policy after first doing it at the senior men's Asia Cup earlier this year, and later at the senior women's ODI World Cup.