New Delhi: India's Under-19 team were struggling at 86 for 5 in the 23rd over against Pakistan in their ACC Under-19 Asia Cup Group A match at the Al Amerat ground in Oman on Sunday.
India captain Lakshya Raichandani won the toss and elected to bat, but Pakistan's new-ball bowlers made early inroads to put the batting side under pressure.
Raichandani was dismissed for a duck, while VK Vineet managed just eight runs. Aaryavir Sehwag, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, scored 22 off 40 balls, including a four and a six, before being caught off Niqab Shafiq.
Anvay Dravid fell for 10 off 16 deliveries after edging a delivery to deep extra cover, leaving India five wickets down before reaching the halfway stage of their innings.
Arjun Rajput provided some resistance, taking on Ali Raza with a six over deep midwicket and an upper-cut for four in the same over. The surface offered movement to the seamers, making batting difficult.
Both teams entered Sunday's encounter unbeaten in the tournament. India had defeated Nepal by 10 wickets on Friday, chasing a target of 129 in 19.1 overs without losing a wicket. Sehwag remained unbeaten on 70 off 52 balls, while Raichandani scored 53 not out.
Pakistan, meanwhile, registered a nine-wicket victory over the UAE, with Usman Khan scoring an unbeaten 139 and Jahangir Bilal contributing 60.
The winner of Sunday's contest will strengthen its position at the top of Group A.
With input from media reports.