Aaryavir Sehwag Shines in India U-19's Thrilling Asia Cup Final Win Over Pakistan
Aaryavir Sehwag's Stellar Performance
In a nail-biting finish, India Under-19 clinched a one-wicket victory against Pakistan in the final of the 2026 ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup held at Al Amerat Cricket Ground. Aaryavir Sehwag's coach, Raju Sharma, commended the young player's remarkable innings of 58 runs, which played a pivotal role in the team's success.
Sharma expressed pride in the entire squad and their coaching staff, emphasizing the determination shown by the players in successfully chasing a daunting target against their long-standing rivals.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the Sehwag family, Sharma shared memories of watching Aaryavir and his brother Vedant grow up with a passion for cricket. He praised Aaryavir's dedication and positive mindset towards the sport.
"Today is a moment of great joy for all Indians. Winning against Pakistan, especially while chasing nearly 350 runs, is a monumental achievement. Congratulations to the Under-19 team and their support staff. The boys displayed incredible resilience in chasing such a high score," Sharma remarked.
Sharma reminisced about his friendship with Aaryavir's father, noting that he has known the Sehwag family for over 35 years. He recalled accompanying Virender Sehwag during his Under-19 days while playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Sehwag's innings of 58 runs off 61 balls laid a strong foundation for India's chase. His outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament title, amassing 361 runs in five matches, which included a century and three half-centuries.
India faced a challenging target of 338 runs and managed to secure victory with a score of 339/9 in a thrilling final over. Captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani led the charge with a commendable 80 runs off 101 balls, while Sehwag's contribution and Manal Chauhan's aggressive 47 runs were crucial. Mohit Ulva emerged as the match-winner, remaining not out at 49 runs off just 26 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan set a formidable target with a total of 337/9, driven by Usman Khan's century (107) and Abdul Qadir's quick 80 runs. Despite losing wickets at critical moments, the Indian team made a remarkable comeback to secure victory in the final over and claim the prestigious continental trophy.