India U-19 Asia Cup final celebrations have drawn sharp criticism from former Pakistan cricketers and social media users. This follows India’s one-wicket win over Pakistan on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Videos circulating online appeared to show some Indian players making gestures and shouting at their opponents once the winning runs were struck. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended the players, saying the celebrations were understandable given how the victory was achieved.
A Final That Went Down to the Last Ball
The title decider was played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat, Oman. Pakistan won the toss, chose to bat and posted 337 for nine. Opener Usman Khan scored a century, Abdul Qadir added 80 and captain Farhan Yousaf contributed 63, which gave the bowlers a big total to defend.
India built their reply on a solid start. Captain Lakshya Raichandani made 80 off 101 balls, while opener Aaryavir Sehwag struck 58 from 61 deliveries. Sehwag finished as the tournament’s leading run scorer with 361 runs in five innings and was named player of the tournament.
Then the chase wobbled badly. India slipped to 252 for eight in the 42nd over, and Pakistan looked close to the title. Manal Chauhan scored 47 off 32 balls and Mohit Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 off 26, sharing a 57 run partnership for the ninth wicket. Ulva’s last ball boundary, with three runs needed, sealed a 339 for nine finish and India’s ninth title, their first since 2021.
Background: Handshake Rows and a Heated Rivalry
The Muscat final did not happen in isolation. India and Pakistan have skipped traditional handshakes in several matches since political tensions spilled onto the field. In September 2025, India’s senior team refused to shake hands during the Asia Cup and declined to collect the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.
Pakistan’s U-19 side beat India by 191 runs in the previous Asia Cup final in Dubai in December 2025, and mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed later criticised India’s conduct in that match. Both sides again skipped the handshake in Muscat. That is why any India Pakistan handshake row now draws instant attention, even at junior level. Readers can also see how tensions between the neighbours extend beyond cricket in our report on the Indus Waters Treaty dispute.
What the Footage Showed
According to Dawn, one video appeared to show Indian players making gestures towards Pakistan wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, who had scored a century in the group stage meeting between the two sides. Other clips showed members of the Indian squad celebrating aggressively in front of their opponents. A member of the support staff was seen trying to calm the group.
Al Jazeera reported that one player yelled and gesticulated angrily at Zahoor, who stayed silent. It added that others kicked their legs in the direction of the Pakistan dressing room while team management tried to hold them back. These accounts are based on videos and media reports. In the sources reviewed, no disciplinary action had been announced at the time of writing.
Reactions from Cricket Figures
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf did not name anyone, but his message was clear. He wrote on X that players carry more than a national badge, saying they are “representing your upbringing,” and should stay respectful in victory or defeat.
Ahmed Shahzad congratulated India on the win yet said celebrations should reflect joy rather than hostility. He argued that young players must learn that the spirit of the game goes beyond the result. Columnist Ammar Masood said the scenes did not reflect sportsmanship, while former minister Fawad Chaudhry and journalist Fahd Hussain posted sharper criticism of the player involved.
On the Indian side, Saikia said a team that wins from such a difficult position “certainly deserve to celebrate.” Al Jazeera noted that former Indian cricketers and heads of state praised the victory without condemning the behaviour, though several Indian fans online called it uncalled for.
Impact on India Pakistan Cricket
The episode adds to a growing debate about player conduct in high pressure contests between the neighbours. Supporters on both sides want fierce competition, but many fans and former players say young cricketers copy what they see from seniors. Under-19 tournaments are meant to be a development pathway, and the tone set there often carries into senior cricket.
India’s senior side, which recently beat New Zealand in an ODI at Eden Park, as covered in our Kohli report, will also face questions about the culture around the team. Whether the Asian Cup organisers or the ACC review the matter remains to be seen. For Pakistan’s young players, the final still showed they can push India to the very last ball.
Conclusion
India’s last ball triumph in Muscat was a remarkable comeback that deserves credit for its drama and skill. At the same time, the Under-19 cricket controversy that followed shows how quickly a great final can be overshadowed by off field behaviour. Attention now turns to whether officials respond and whether both teams restore the traditional handshake. More updates are available in the sports section of Pakistan Chronicle, and our homepage carries the latest national and international news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the U-19 Asia Cup final in 2026?
India won the final by one wicket against Pakistan at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat on November 14, 2026. Pakistan scored 337 for nine, and India finished on 339 for nine off the very last ball. It was India’s ninth title in the tournament and their first since 2021, which made the finish even more dramatic for supporters.
Why are the India U-19 Asia Cup final celebrations being criticised?
Videos shared online appeared to show some Indian players making gestures and shouting towards Pakistan players, including wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, after the winning runs. Critics, including Mohammad Yousuf and Ahmed Shahzad, said winning should be celebrated with respect. Others noted that the footage is from social media and that the conduct is open to debate.
How did Mohit Ulva win the match for India?
India were 252 for eight in the 42nd over when Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan revived the chase with a 57 run ninth wicket partnership. Chauhan scored 47 off 32 balls, and Ulva remained unbeaten on 49 off 26. With three runs needed off the final ball, Ulva hit the winning boundary and sealed the title.
What did the BCCI say about the celebrations?
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended the players, according to Dawn. He said that when a team wins a match from such a difficult position, it deserves to celebrate and that this should be allowed. His comments reflect the view that the emotions of a last ball finish explain the players’ reaction, though critics disagree.
Did the teams shake hands, and has any action been taken?
Reports say there was no immediate exchange of handshakes, and Al Jazeera noted both sides skipped the customary handshake. This has become a recurring feature of India Pakistan matches since political tensions spilled onto the pitch. In the sources reviewed, no official disciplinary action had been announced at the time of writing.
