IND vs PAK, ICC U-19 World Cup preview: India eyes Asia Cup final revenge against archrival Pakistan
Five-time champion India will look to avenge its humiliating Asia Cup final loss against archrival Pakistan when the two teams lock horns in a Super Six match of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo on Sunday.
India lost to Pakistan by 191 runs in the U-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai on December 21 last year after winning the group match of the same tournament against the archrival by 90 runs on December 14.
Come Sunday, the Ayush Mhatre-led Indian side would be itching for revenge.
India is also likely to continue its ‘no handshake’ policy with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and the ensuing Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces.
The Indian U-19 team avoided the post-match handshake with Pakistan in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup. The Indians had also skipped the gesture during the two sides’ group stage match of that tournament as well.
It has been a dominant run for India so far in the Under-19 World Cup. The Indians started their campaign with a comprehensive six-wicket win over the USA before beating Bangladesh and New Zealand in the group stage.
In its first Super Six match, India thrashed host Zimbabwe by a massive 204 runs on January 27 to continue its unbeaten run.
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But in Pakistan, a strong opponent awaits India, and the big loss in the Asia Cup final will be haunting the Mhatre-led side.
Wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu (183 runs from four matches, 80 highest score) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (166 runs from four matches) have been consistent with the bat, scoring two fifties each, but they would look to convert those into three-figure marks.
Vihaan Malhotra (151 runs from four matches) is one more batter India would be banking on, as the left-hander smashed an unbeaten 109 against Zimbabwe in the last match and would be looking to carry on his good form.
On the bowling front, right-arm medium pacer Henil Patel (10 wickets in four matches) and left-arm fast bowler Udhav Mohan, who picked up three wickets in the last match against Zimbabwe, have been the standout performers for India.
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Skipper Mhatre also sparkled with his off-break with three scalps against Zimbabwe, while right-arm medium RS Amrish has also been among wickets upfront.
Pakistan, on the other hand, lost its opening group game against England but won its next two matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe.
The side notched a comprehensive eight-wicket win over New Zealand in a Super Six match on January 27 and is coming into the India game with confidence.
Opener Sameer Minhas, who orchestrated India’s defeat in the U-19 Asia Cup final with a magnificent 172, has been in impressive form in the tournament, scoring 74 not out against Zimbabwe in the group match and 76 in the win against New Zealand.
Minhas will again be the thorn in the flesh for India, which will be plotting to remove him early in the innings.
In the bowling department, right-arm pacer Ali Raza has been Pakistan’s key man with 12 wickets from four matches, and Indian batters will have to plan to tackle him. Another right-arm pacer, Abdul Subhan, has also been among the wickets with 10 from four matches.
TEAMS (FROM)
India: Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu, Harvansh Pangalia, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Udhav Mohan, Kishan Singh.
Pakistan: Farhan Yousaf (c), Usman Khan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Hamza Zahoor, Huzaifa Ahsan, Mohammad Shayan, Sameer Minhas, Ahmed Hussain, Abdul Subhan, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Mohammad Sayyam, Momin Qamar, Niqab Shafiq, Umar Zaib.
The match starts at 1pm IST
Published on Jan 31, 2026
