Saturday 14 / November / 2026
Muscat: Cars, excavator, goalposts and every available vantage point turned into makeshift viewing galleries as thousands of cricket fans descended on the Oman Cricket Academy Ground at Al Amerat on Saturday to witness one of the most eagerly anticipated encounters in the sport – an India-Pakistan final.
The atmosphere was electric as supporters from both countries packed the ground for the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup final, which lived up to its billing as a thriller, as India snatched a dramatic one-wicket victory off the final ball to lift the trophy.
With the stands filled to capacity, many spectators had to find alternative spots to follow the action.
Some climbed on top of cars and tractors, while others watched from goalposts and any elevated spot that offered a glimpse of the cricket field.
For many, getting inside the ground was only part of the challenge. Finding a place from where they could actually watch the match became an adventure in itself.
“The craze for an India-Pakistan match is unbelievable. You rarely see such enthusiasm for a cricket match. Being Saturday, a weekend in Oman, also helped bring so many people to the ground,” said one supporter.
The huge turnout reflected cricket’s immense popularity among Oman’s expatriate communities, particularly Indians and Pakistanis. Families, groups of friends and passionate supporters from both countries gathered at Al Amerat, with national flags, cheers and chants adding to the atmosphere.
The excitement reached fever pitch as the match went down to the wire. With one ball remaining and India needing four runs to win, Mohit Ulva struck Ahmed Hussain’s final delivery to the boundary, taking India to 339 for nine and sealing a memorable victory.
The winning shot sent the Indian dugout and thousands of supporters into wild celebrations. Indian fans jumped, embraced one another and waved the Indian tricolour, while others rushed to capture the moment on their mobile phones.
For the thousands gathered at the venue, the afternoon had been an emotional roller-coaster that ended in spectacular fashion.
“We may be living thousands of kilometres away from India, but when India plays Pakistan, the emotions are exactly the same. Everyone wants to be here. The atmosphere is simply fantastic,” said another Indian supporter.
A group of young fans who had found space on top of a vehicle said they were determined not to miss the match despite the lack of room in the stands.
“We couldn’t find a place inside, but there was no way we were going home without watching the match. We climbed on top of the vehicle and followed every ball. It was an incredible experience, and the way India won made it even more special,” one of them said.
As the Indian players rushed onto the field to celebrate, supporters continued to cheer long after the final ball.
“Winning off the last ball makes it unforgettable. We were holding our breath. The moment the ball crossed the boundary, the entire ground erupted. It was an unbelievable feeling,” said another Indian fan.
For Pakistani supporters, the result was heartbreaking after their team had put up a formidable total. However, some acknowledged the quality of the contest.
“It was a fantastic match. Pakistan played really well and scored 337, but India held their nerve at the end. That is cricket. We are disappointed with the result, but it was a great final,” said a Pakistani supporter.
