Hamza Zahoor note celebration: 'Tomorrow match 50' after century vs India
Hamza Zahoor wrote himself a target of 50, then hit 100 not out to beat India in the U19 Asia Cup. The note he pulled from his pocket is everywhere.
Pakistan’s Under-19 batter Hamza Zahoor had written a small target on a piece of paper before Sunday’s Asia Cup match against India: 50 runs. He scored 100 not out instead, hit the winning boundary, and then pulled the crumpled note out of his pocket to show the crowd. Clips of that moment have been shared across Pakistan and India since.
This is the result of the game our earlier story followed at the halfway mark, when Pakistan’s bowlers had India out for 208 in Al Amerat.
What was written on Hamza Zahoor’s note?
The note read “Tomorrow match 50 Hamza Zahoor”, according to reports of the match. Some reports give a longer version with “Insha Allah” and “I am best” added, but every account agrees on the main part: he had promised himself a fifty the day before. He finished with double that.
After the winning shot, a drive past a diving extra-cover fielder, he took off his helmet, ran towards the Pakistan supporters with his fists pumping, and held up the paper. Teammates sprinted after him.
How did Pakistan beat India?
It did not look likely for a long time. Chasing 209, Pakistan slipped to 61 for 5. Hamza and Hasnain Abbas Dar then added 107 for the sixth wicket. Dar was out for 38, but Hamza stayed to the end.
Pakistan reached 209 for 7 in 49 overs and won by three wickets. Hamza’s 100 not out came off 108 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes. For India, Arjun Rajput’s hundred had carried their innings.
Why has the note gone viral?
Partly because it is a Pakistan win over India, which always travels. But the note is what people keep sharing. It looks like a schoolboy’s reminder to himself, and young players and fans are posting it as an example of writing your goal down and then beating it. Indian sports sites have also run the clip, mostly to ask what was on the paper.
What next for Pakistan U19?
Keep an eye on Hamza in Pakistan’s next Asia Cup matches; after this, every Pakistan fan will want to see whether there is a new note in his pocket.
