Sameer Minhas Stars as Pakistan Defeats India in U19 Asia Cup Final

Pakistan delivered a dominant performance in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Under-19 final, defeating India by a massive margin at the ICC Academy on Sunday. Sameer Minhas was the standout performer, leading Pakistan to a crushing victory with a superb century that set the tone for the entire match.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, amassing an imposing total of 347 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. While the start was steady rather than explosive, with Hamza Zahoor making an early impact before falling for 18, Pakistan’s innings gained momentum through a solid partnership between Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan. The duo shared a second-wicket stand of 92 runs, putting Pakistan in a commanding position despite an early setback.

Usman Khan was dismissed for 35, but by then, Minhas was well-established at the crease. His calm and composed approach steadied the ship, with Ahmed Hussain joining him for a pivotal 137-run partnership for the third wicket. Minhas, unfazed by the occasion, reached his century midway through the innings and continued to dominate as Pakistan pushed for a big total.

Even as India tightened their field and picked up a couple of wickets, including the dismissal of Ahmed Hussain for a well-made 56, Minhas remained in control. His remarkable knock of 172 off 113 balls, including 17 fours and 9 sixes, completely shifted the momentum in Pakistan’s favor. Despite a few late wickets, Pakistan’s total was a daunting one for India to chase.

India’s response was never truly threatening. While opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi tried to inject some early aggression, the loss of skipper Ayush Mhatre quickly triggered a collapse. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Ali Raza, exploited the pressure of the occasion, taking wickets at regular intervals and leaving India in disarray.

By the time India was reduced to 49 for 3 inside the powerplay, their chase was in serious trouble. Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, and Abhigyan Kundu all fell cheaply, leaving India at 82 for 6 and on the verge of an early defeat.

Deepesh Devendran provided some resistance with a quick-fire 36 off 16 balls, but his efforts were not enough to turn the tide. Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Ali Raza, who claimed four wickets, dominated the Indian batting. Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, and Mohammad Sayyam also contributed with key wickets as India was bowled out for just 156 in 26.3 overs.

Pakistan’s dominant performance in all aspects of the game—batting, bowling, and fielding—sealed a comprehensive victory, with the team finishing on top in every phase of the game. Sameer Minhas’ brilliant century was the cornerstone of the win, while the bowlers ensured India had no chance of a comeback. The emphatic margin of victory left little doubt about Pakistan’s superiority in this historic final.

This victory marks another chapter in Pakistan’s cricketing dominance at the U19 level, as they continue to build a legacy in international youth cricket.