Pacer Ali Raza celebrates wicket against India in the U19 Asia Cup Final. Photo: ACC
Pakistan Under-19 produced a dominant all-round performance to crush arch-rivals India by 191 runs and lift their maiden ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 title at the ICC Academy on Sunday. A monumental century from Sameer Minhas followed by a ruthless display from the pace attack ensured a one-sided final in front of a packed crowd.
Set a daunting target of 348, India’s chase unravelled quickly as Pakistan’s pacers dismantled their batting line-up, bowling them out for 156 in 26.2 overs. The emphatic victory underlined Pakistan’s supremacy in the tournament and marked a historic moment for their junior cricket setup.
India began their pursuit with brief intent as opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi added 32 runs with captain Ayush Mhatre, but the stand was broken in the fourth over when Ali Raza dismissed Mhatre for two. An over later, Mohammad Sayyam removed in-form batter Aaron George (16), who had hurt Pakistan in the group stage.
Ali Raza then struck a decisive blow by having Suryavanshi caught behind on the first ball of the next over, reducing India to 49 for 3. The left-hander was India’s brightest spark, scoring a quick 26 off 10 balls with three sixes. From there, Pakistan bowlers tightened the screws, striking regularly despite a late counterattack from No.10 batter Deepesh Devendran, who top-scored for India with a rapid 36 off 16 balls.
Ali Raza spearheaded the bowling effort with an impressive spell of 4 for 42, while Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan claimed two wickets apiece to complete the rout.
Earlier, India captain Ayush Mhatre’s decision to field first proved costly as Pakistan piled up 347 for 8 in their 50 overs, powered by a sensational innings from Sameer Minhas. The opener smashed 172 off 113 balls, striking 17 fours and nine sixes, in one of the finest knocks in U19 Asia Cup history.
Pakistan got off to a steady start with Minhas and Hamza Zahoor (18) adding 31 runs. Minhas then dominated proceedings, first sharing a brisk 92-run stand with Usman Khan (35), and later putting on a match-defining 137-run partnership with Ahmed Hussain, who made 56 off 73 balls.
Minhas continued his onslaught alongside captain Farhan Yousaf, before falling late in the innings. Although Pakistan lost a few wickets in quick succession, late cameos from Mohammad Sayyam (13)* and Niqab Shafiq (12)* ensured a formidable total.
For India, Deepesh Devendran picked up three wickets but conceded 83 runs, while Henil Patel and Khilan Patel took two each.
The comprehensive win crowned Pakistan as U19 Asia Cup champions for the first time, with Sameer Minhas’ record-breaking knock and Ali Raza’s incisive bowling headlining a memorable final.
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