India struggled to 128-5 in 28.5 overs against Pakistan after choosing to bat first in their Under-19 Asia Cup Group A match at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Sunday. Arjun Rajput provided the sole resistance for the batting side with an unbeaten knock as Pakistan's bowling attack struck early blows.
Brief scores: India 128-5 (28.5 overs; Arjun Rajput 79 not out, Aaryavir Sehwag 22; Ali Raza 2-24, Niqab Shafiq 2-33) against Pakistan.
The innings suffered an immediate setback in the first over when captain Lakshya Raichandani was bowled by Ali Raza for a two-ball duck. VK Vineeth followed shortly after for 8, caught behind by wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor off Raza to leave the total at 21-2.
Yashbardhan Chauhan became the third wicket to fall, bowled by Rizwanullah for 1 as India slipped to 22-3 in the 12th over. Aaryavir Sehwag, son of Virender Sehwag, attempted to rebuild by scoring 22 from 40 balls, including a boundary and a six, before being caught by Mohammad Sayyam off Niqab Shafiq at 42-4.
Anvay Dravid, son of Rahul Dravid, contributed 10 runs from 16 deliveries before falling to Shafiq, caught by Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf with the score at 86-5. Rajput then joined forces with Manal Chauhan to halt the slide through an unbroken sixth-wicket stand worth 42 runs.
Rajput reached his unbeaten 79 from 65 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes to account for the majority of his team's total. Manal Chauhan remained undefeated on 5 alongside him, with extras contributing just three runs to the innings.
Ali Raza led the bowling figures for Pakistan with 2-24 from seven overs, while Niqab Shafiq also claimed two wickets, conceding 33 runs in his seven overs. Rizwanullah finished with 1-14 from four overs, and Mohammad Sayyam delivered two maidens while giving away 15 runs in six overs.
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