Pakistan Crush India by 191 Runs to Win U-19 Asia Cup 2025

Sun Dec 21 2025
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DUBAI: Pakistan produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat India by 191 runs and win the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 final at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Pakistan

After piling up a record 347 for eight, Pakistan’s pacers dismantled India’s batting line-up, bowling them out for 156 in 26.2 overs to seal a one-sided victory in the title clash.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy to the winning captain amid loud cheers from the crowd and players.

Pakistan’s triumph was set up by a monumental innings from opener Sameer Minhas, who struck a blistering 172 off 113 balls.

Pakistan

For his outstanding batting performance, Minhas was named Man of the Match in the final and Man of the Tournament of the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup.

Pakistan

His knock, laced with 17 fours and nine sixes, was the highest individual score in an Under-19 Asia Cup final and the backbone of Pakistan’s imposing total.

Pakistan

Put into bat after India captain Ayush Mhatre won the toss, Pakistan made a steady start before losing Hamza Zahoor for 18 in the fourth over.

Pakistan

Minhas then rebuilt the innings with Usman Khan. The pair added 92 runs for the second wicket in just 79 deliveries, putting Pakistan firmly in control.

Usman contributed a composed 35 before falling to Khilan Patel.

Key partnerships build big total

Minhas followed that stand with another decisive partnership, adding 137 runs for the third wicket with Ahmed Hussain.

Ahmed played a patient knock of 56 off 73 balls, helping Pakistan surge beyond the 250-run mark.

Minhas later shared a 42-run stand with captain Farhan Yousaf before being dismissed on the penultimate ball of the 43rd over.

Pakistan

His dismissal triggered a brief collapse, as Pakistan lost several wickets in quick succession and slipped to 327 for eight.

Late unbeaten cameos from Mohammad Sayyam (13) and Niqab Shafiq (12) pushed the total to 347 for eight at the close of the innings.

For India, Deepesh Devendran took three wickets but conceded 83 runs. Henil Patel and Khilan Patel claimed two wickets each.

Pakistan pacers dominate the chase

Chasing a daunting target of 348, India began aggressively but lost wickets at regular intervals.

Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided early momentum with a quick 26 off 10 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

Captain Ayush Mhatre was dismissed for two by Ali Raza in the fourth over, before Mohammad Sayyam removed Aaron George for 16.

Ali Raza struck again in the next over, having Suryavanshi caught behind to reduce India to 49 for three.

The loss of Suryavanshi proved decisive. Pakistan’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, striking frequently and preventing any sustained recovery.

Pakistan

India were eventually bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs, despite a late flourish from No.10 batter Deepesh Devendran.

Devendran top-scored for India with a rapid 36 off 16 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

Ali Raza was the standout performer with the ball, taking four wickets for 42 runs in 6.2 overs.

Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan supported him well, claiming two wickets each.

Pakistan

Pakistan’s 191-run victory underlined their dominance in the final and capped a strong tournament campaign.

They had reached the final after defeating Bangladesh by eight wickets in the semi-final, while India beat Sri Lanka in the other last-four match.

Pakistan

The win delivered Pakistan the Under-19 Asia Cup title in emphatic fashion, avenging their group-stage defeat to India and confirming their strength at junior level.

PM Sharif congratulates cricket team

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the U-19 cricket team and the entire nation on winning the Under-19 Asia Cup.

In a statement, he said Pakistani players performed excellently. “Pakistani players created history by defeating India in the final,” he said, adding, “The entire nation is proud of these young players.”

The Prime Minister said, “The Under-19 team will undoubtedly make the country’s name shine on the world stage in the future as well.”

“I pay tribute to the entire team management, including Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi,” he added.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi extended his heartiest congratulations to the Pakistan U-19 cricket team on their triumphant victory.

In a post on social media platform X, Naqvi expressed his pride, saying, “Proud to be handing over the ACC U19 Cup to our brilliant U19 team.”

He praised the team’s performance and said they played with fearless cricket and unmatched spirit.

Naqvi highlighted the exceptional performance of Sameer Minhas, describing him as “calm under pressure and outstanding on the big stage.”

He concluded by saying the team makes the nation proud and shines a bright light on the future of Pakistan cricket, terming their win ‘what a show’.

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