Mohit Ulva earns Saurashtra SMAT call-up after U-19 Asia Cup heroics vs Pakistan

Mohit Ulva's match-winning knock in the Under-19 Asia Cup final has opened the door to senior cricket. The 18-year-old, who smashed an unbeaten 49 to help India beat Pakistan in a last-ball thriller in Oman, has been added to Saurashtra's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.U-19 Asia Cup final: Mohit Ulva earns Saurashtra SMAT call-up after starring in India's win over Pakistan (Courtesy by BCCI)New Delhi,Nov 14, 2026 22:03 ISTJust hours after playing the defining knock in India's Under-19 Asia Cup triumph, Mohit Ulva has earned a call-up to Saurashtra's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad. The 18-year-old, who struck an unbeaten 49 to seal a last-ball win over Pakistan, has been asked to join the team in Indore.The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has decided to add Ulva to its squad for the ongoing domestic T20 tournament, rewarding him for his remarkable performance in Saturday's final in Oman.IND vs PAK, U19 Asia Cup Final: HighlightsSCA president Jaydev Shah confirmed the decision and praised the youngster for showing grit and composure in a high-pressure situation. "It was a great display of grit and fighting spirit by Mohit. The SCA has decided to include him in the SMAT squad. We have informed him to fly directly to Indore to join the Saurashtra squad, which is playing there," Shah told Cricbuzz."He is a very talented boy and comes from a humble family in Surendranagar, near Rajkot. He lives in Rajkot. We always try to encourage youngsters, and we have decided that he will be a good addition to the SMAT side," he added.MOHIT ULVA'S LAST-BALL HEROICS Ulva produced the knock of his young career in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, helping India chase down a daunting target of 338 against Pakistan. India were in deep trouble at 252 for eight in the 42nd over when he joined Manal Chauhan at the crease.The two showed tremendous composure to put together a 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Manal scored 47 off 32 balls before his dismissal left India needing 36 runs with just one wicket remaining.Ulva then found support from No. 11 batter C Venkata, who chipped in with an unbeaten 11 off eight deliveries. With eight runs needed from the final over, the pressure was firmly on the two young batters.The equation eventually came down to three runs off the final ball. Facing Pakistan leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain, Ulva sent the delivery towards long-off for a boundary to complete an extraordinary one-wicket victory. He finished unbeaten on 49 off 26 balls as India reached 339 for nine and reclaimed the Under-19 Asia Cup title.Earlier, captain Lakshya Raichandani had kept India in the contest with a knock of 80, while Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 58. The opening pair added 95 runs before Pakistan struck back with a series of wickets to put India on the brink of defeat.- Ends