Arjun Rajput's 107 lifts India to 208 all out against Pakistan in Under-19 Asia Cup

India's Under-19 top order failed against Pakistan in an Under-19 Asia Cup one-day game. Arjun Rajput, who came in at number five, held the innings together with a century of 107 runs. His effort took India to 208 all out against their arch-rivals.

India won the toss but the decision to bat first did not work out. The top order had looked set for a big total, but the innings, played on the first day of Diwali, did not go as hoped.

Captain Lakshya Raichandani was dismissed without scoring, clean bowled by Ali Raza. V. K. Vineet, at number three, made 8 and Yashvardhan Chauhan managed only 1. Aryavir Sehwag made 22 with a four and a six and steadied the innings for a while before he too lost his wicket.

Batters kept coming and going at one end while Rajput stood firm. With no support from the other end, he still hit back at the Pakistani bowlers, scoring 107 off 85 balls with 11 fours and 5 big sixes.

Rajput added 64 runs with Manal Chauhan, of which 50 came from Rajput's bat and 11 from Manal's. Kavya Patel made a useful 23 at the end, which took India past 200.

Pakistan's bowlers made the most of their chances, and the wickets of the other batters fell quickly once Rajput was set aside. Ali Raza took 3 important wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs. Naqib Saqif and Rizwanullah backed him well, taking 3 wickets each. The three kept a check on India's run rate.

It is now India's turn to bowl. Their attack has bite as well, so Pakistan's innings will be interesting to watch.