Sameer Minhas Shines as Pakistan Crush India to Lift U19 Asia Cup
DUBAI: Pakistan wrapped up a dominant ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 campaign by crushing India by 191 runs in the grand final at the ICC Academy on Sunday, riding on Sameer Minhas’s sensational 172 and a fiery display from their fast bowlers.
Defending a massive total of 347, Pakistan’s pace attack ran through India’s batting lineup, skittling them out for just 156 in 26.2 overs and sealing a one-sided title win.
India’s chase began with some early intent as Vaibhav Suryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre put together a brisk opening stand. However, the momentum didn’t last long. Ali Raza struck in the fourth over to remove Mhatre for 2, and Mohammad Sayyam followed it up by dismissing Aaron George for 16 in the next over.
Ali Raza then delivered another major blow by having Suryavanshi caught behind on the very first ball of his next over, leaving India reeling at 49 for 3. The left-hander was the standout for India, scoring a quick 26 off just 10 balls with one boundary and three sixes.
From there, Pakistan tightened the grip as wickets fell in clusters and India never recovered from the collapse. The innings folded rapidly, with the required rate climbing beyond reach and no meaningful partnerships developing.
Earlier, Pakistan had piled on the runs despite a brief middle-order stumble that saw them slip to 327 for 8 in the 47th over. Late contributions from Mohammad Sayyam and Niqab Shafiq, who remained unbeaten on 13 and 12 respectively, ensured Pakistan finished strongly.
For India, Deepesh Devendran was the most successful bowler with three wickets, though he went for 83 runs. Henil Patel and Khilan Patel claimed two wickets each, while Kanishk Chouhan picked up one.
It was a complete performance from Pakistan, capped by Minhas’s monumental knock and a ruthless bowling effort, as they lifted the U19 Asia Cup in emphatic fashion.
