India U-19 Dominates Japan U-19 by 211 Runs in U-19 Asia Cup
Sharjah, Dec 2: A brilliant unbeaten century by skipper Mohammed Amaan, along with half-centuries from Ayush Mhatre and K.P. Karthikeya, propelled India U-19 to a commanding 211-run victory over Japan U-19 in their Group A match of the U-19 Asia Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.
This victory was crucial for India U-19, who had earlier suffered a league-stage defeat to archrivals Pakistan. The win not only helped them bounce back but also kept their hopes alive in the tournament.
Amaan, the Player of the Match, played a stellar knock of 122* off 118 balls, striking seven fours. Mhatre, the opening batsman, blazed a quickfire 54 off 29 balls, while Karthikeya contributed with 57 runs off 49 balls, including five fours and a six. Together, they helped India U-19 post a massive total of 339/6 in 50 overs after Japan won the toss and elected to bowl.
Mhatre and his 13-year-old opening partner, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, set the tone early with a 65-run partnership for the first wicket in the eighth over. Suryavanshi was dismissed for 19, caught by Timothy Moore off Charles Hinze. Mhatre followed shortly after, dismissed for 54, caught by Abe off pacer Aarav Tiwari.
The partnership between Amaan and Karthikeya, however, was the highlight of the innings. They added 122 runs for the third wicket, taking India to a strong position at 261 before the slog overs. Karthikeya was dismissed for 57, caught by Moore off Hugo Kelly.
Amaan continued to accumulate runs, while Hardik Raj contributed an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls to take India’s total to 339/6. For Japan, Hugo Kelly (2-42) and Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (2-84) were the most successful bowlers.
In reply, Japan U-19 made a solid start with Hugo Kelly and Nihar Parmar putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, Parmar was dismissed for 14, and though Kelly reached a slow half-century (50 off 111 balls), Japan’s chase faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Charles Hinze provided some resistance with an unbeaten 35, but the Indian bowlers proved too disciplined for the Japanese middle order. Pacer Chetan Sharma (2-14), Karthikeya (2-21), and Hardik Raj (2-9) dominated, reducing Japan U-19 to 128/8 in their 50 overs. India won the match by a massive 211 runs, securing a dominant victory in their bid to stay alive in the tournament.
