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On This Day in 2006: The February 19 final was a low-scoring thriller, with Pakistan successfully defending 109 runs. Led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, their brilliant bowling attack dismissed India for just 71 runs.
Several players from Pakistan’s U19 World Cup-winning squad went on to represent the senior team. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day in 2006: Almost two decades ago, Pakistan scripted history by edging out India narrowly to lift the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Colombo. They were the first team to win the tournament consecutively. The 2006 triumph cemented their status as a dominant force in youth cricket.
The final on February 19 proved a low-scoring thriller that saw Pakistan successfully defend 109 runs. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side showcased their brilliant bowling attack, dismissing the Men in Blue for 71 runs.
Several players from Pakistan’s U19 World Cup-winning squad went on to represent the senior team. It further underscores the importance of that victory in shaping the future of Pakistan cricket.
India made the final after beating England in the semis. Ravikant Shukla captained the team and had his eyes set on securing India’s second U19 World at the R Premadasa Stadium. The fifty-over game began on this day with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat first.
Pakistan’s top order failed to show up with the willow as they were bowled out for 109. Rameez Raja emerged as the top-scorer in the innings, putting up 25 runs on the board for Pakistan.
Nasir Jamshed followed his fellow batter with 18 runs. The Indian spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla did the majority of the damage on the bowling front. Jadeja scalped three wickets whereas Chawla dismissed four Pakistan batters. Rohit Sharma, Yo Mahesh and Mohnish Parmar contributed with a wicket each.
With a modest target of 110 runs to chase, the young Indian team seemed well on course to lift the trophy. However, their pursuit got off to a shaky start as opener Gaurav Dhiman was bowled off the very first ball of the innings by Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Jamshed Ahmed. The setback deepened when Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for a duck, falling to Anwar Ali’s very first delivery, putting India in early trouble.
Rohit Sharma fell next, getting bowled out by Jamshed Ahmed. Pakistan’s intense bowling display continued before the interval as Debabrata Das was caught and bowled out, leaving India at 9/6. Piyush Chawla and Pinal Shah produced a final stand, showcasing some resistance to help India go past the 60-run mark.
Just when it looked like the Men in Blue could crawl to 110 runs, Akhtar Ayub turned the tables and bowled out Shah. He wrapped up the innings by dismissing Mohnish Parma to secure a 38-run victory.
