Pakistan, India clash in U19s Asia Cup today

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will open their ACC Under-19s Asia Cup campaign against India today (Saturday) at the Dubai Sports City Stadium, looking forward to their first title after receiving the joint-winners Trophy in 2012 under Babar Azam’s captaincy.

Pakistan and India were declared joint winners in 2012 following the tied final. Pakistan have not been able to engrave their names on the trophy since then, though the last Junior Asian Cup saw Pakistan beating India in the pool match.

Pakistan are coming out of the tri-series where the team narrowly lost against Afghanistan in the final. As the Asian Cup started on Friday, Afghanistan lost the opening match against Bangladesh by 45 runs. Both the teams are grouped in Pool B which also includes Sri Lanka and Nepal. Sri Lanka also got off to a winning start Friday beating Nepal in the opening match by 55 runs.

Japan and UAE are also placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and India. The news emerging from the Pakistan camp in the UAE suggest the team had a lengthy practice session on Friday hoping to put up their best show against the arch-rivals at the outset of the event.