BCCI defends India U19 celebrations after Asia Cup win over Pakistan
India beat Pakistan by one wicket off the last ball to win the U19 Asia Cup in Oman. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended the team's celebrations.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
India won the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Oman by one wicket, with Mohit Ulva hitting a four off the last ball against Pakistan. The team's aggressive celebrations drew criticism from former Pakistan players, but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended them as justified after such a tough win.
Key facts
- India beat Pakistan by one wicket off the final ball in the U19 Asia Cup final.
- Mohit Ulva, 18, hit the winning four and has been added to Saurashtra's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad.
- India had lost to Pakistan in their first match of the tournament.
- Devajit Saikia said the team's celebration was justified.
- Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Yousuf criticised the celebrations.
How India won the final
India beat Pakistan by one wicket in the Under-19 Asia Cup final on Saturday, with the result decided on the last ball. At one stage the match seemed lost, but India's lower-order batters kept the chase alive.
Mohit Ulva hit a four off the final delivery at the Oman Cricket Academy ground on the outskirts of Muscat. Local Oman Cricket officials said Pakistani supporters outnumbered Indian fans at the venue. The title came after India had lost to Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament.
#WATCH | Bali: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, "These are still young players—please don’t bring up topics like prize money or financial rewards; they should be focusing entirely on their game. They will have their whole lives to earn prize money, but the experience and… https://t.co/b8DGjKOhxD pic.twitter.com/ebiPshfk9z
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2026
The #U19WorldCup has come to an end, and as usual, #India got the better of #Pakistan under pressure. It was a great learning platform for both teams and for players who have the potential to become future stars. #INDU19vPAKU19
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) November 15, 2026
One thing I would like to say is that when you play…
Why the celebrations caused a row
India's young players celebrated aggressively after the win, and some were seen celebrating in front of Pakistan's players. Some gestured towards the Pakistan side, while India's support staff tried to calm players down and lead them off the field. The scenes set off a wide debate on social media, with fans, former cricketers and experts in Pakistan in particular questioning the team's conduct.
What the BCCI said
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia backed the team, telling ANI that the celebration reflected India's fighting spirit. He pointed out that India had lost eight wickets at around 280 with few balls left, and said the comeback showed the team's growing confidence.
Saikia said a little celebration was natural after winning such a difficult match and that it should be accepted. He also said the result showed the system for developing young players was heading in the right direction.
Criticism from former Pakistan players
Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad congratulated India on X but said wins should be celebrated with joy rather than aggression, adding that young players need to be taught that the spirit of the game matters more than results.
Shoaib Akhtar also congratulated India but said cricket should be played with values, recalling his friendships with Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly. Mohammad Yousuf wrote that India had once again beaten Pakistan under pressure and that players represent their upbringing and values as well as their country.
Senior call-up for Mohit Ulva
The Saurashtra Cricket Association has added the 18-year-old Ulva to its squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. SCA president Jaydev Shah confirmed the move and said Ulva had been asked to join the team in Indore, where Saurashtra are playing their matches.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Under-19 Asia Cup final?
India beat Pakistan by one wicket in the final in Oman, winning off the last ball.
Who hit the winning runs?
Mohit Ulva hit a four off the final delivery.
Why were India's celebrations criticised?
Some Indian players celebrated aggressively in front of Pakistan's players and gestured towards them, drawing criticism from former Pakistan cricketers.
What did the BCCI say?
Secretary Devajit Saikia said the celebration was justified after such a tough win and reflected the team's fighting spirit.
