Pakistan meet India today in the biggest group match of the U19 Asia Cup, with the defending champions in strong form and a semi-final place in sight. The Group A game starts at 10:00 AM Pakistan time at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat.
Pakistan opened their title defence with a nine-wicket win over the UAE on Friday. Chasing 225, they reached the target in 37.3 overs with only one wicket down.
Opener Usman Khan led the chase with 139 not out from 120 balls. He hit 21 fours and one six, and reached his hundred in 98 balls. Jahangir Bilal made 60, and the two put on 153 for the first wicket. Abdul Qadir finished unbeaten on 20.
Pakistan’s bowlers had set up the win by keeping the UAE to 224. Mohammad Sayyam took three wickets for 37 runs, Ali Raza took two for 38, and Rizwanullah and Hasnain Abbas Dar took two wickets each.
Why Pakistan Start as Favourites
Pakistan won the last edition of this tournament in December 2025, beating India by 191 runs in the final in Dubai. Pakistan scored 347 for 8, with Sameer Minhas hitting 172 from 113 balls, and then bowled India out for 156 in 26.2 overs. Farhan Yousaf captained that side as well, and he leads Pakistan again in Muscat.
A win today would put Pakistan top of Group A and leave them close to the semi-finals. Only the top two teams from each group go through. Pakistan play Nepal on Tuesday, 10 November, in their last group game. The semi-finals are on 12 November and the final on 14 November.
Farhan said the team knows what comes with being defending champions. “As defending champions, we understand the responsibility that comes with the title,” he said. “We are not taking anything for granted.” He added that the PCB sent the squad to Oman early so players could get used to the weather, pitches and playing conditions.
The early trip has already paid off. Pakistan looked settled against the UAE, and Usman Khan’s form gives the batting a strong base. India will test that form with a fresh attack, but Pakistan’s bowlers also showed depth, with four bowlers sharing nine wickets in the opener.
India Response After Nepal Win
India also won their first match with ease, beating Nepal by 10 wickets after chasing 128 in 19.1 overs. Lakshya Raichandani leads India, and his side will want to settle the score from last year’s final.
India know a win today would put them top of the group and end Pakistan’s unbeaten run in this fixture at the tournament. Both teams have already shown they can win fast, so the side that handles the early overs better may take control.
Pakistan Squad for U19 Asia Cup
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Abdul Qadir (wicketkeeper), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Raza, Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Hasnain Abbas Dar, Hayam Khan, Huzaifa Ahsan, Jahangir Bilal, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Seyam, Niqab Shafiq, Rizwanullah, Usman Khan.
Match Details and Where to Watch
| Match | Pakistan U19 vs India U19, Group A |
| Date | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Start time | 10:00 AM PKT |
| Venue | Al Amerat Cricket Ground (OCA Ground 1), Muscat |
| Format | 50 overs a side |
| TV in Pakistan | PTV Sports, Geo Super |
| Streaming in Pakistan | Myco |
The tournament has eight teams in two groups of four. Group A has Pakistan, India, the UAE and Nepal. Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group reach the semi-finals.
The match starts at 10:00 AM Pakistan time on Sunday, 8 November, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat.
PTV Sports and Geo Super will show the match on TV in Pakistan, and Myco will stream it online.
Pakistan will go top of Group A and move close to the semi-finals on 12 November. The top two teams from each group qualify.
