Fans Credit Mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed For Pakistan’s U19 Asia Cup Triumph

DUBAI: Pakistan’s Under-19 men’s cricket team received widespread praise after crushing India by 191 runs to lift the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 title at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Fans hailed not only the players but also the team’s mentor, former national team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, for guiding the young side to glory.

🇵🇰 @SarfarazA_54 💪🏻 U19 World Cup-winning captain (2006) ➡️ U19 Asia Cup-winning mentor (2025) 🌟#PAKvIND | #U19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/Hi2oEWOjrT

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 21, 2025

Put into bat first, Pakistan posted a commanding total of 347 for eight. Right-handed opener Sameer Minhas top-scored with a monumental 172 off 113 balls, striking 17 fours and nine sixes.

Ahmed Hussain contributed 56, while Usman Khan added 35 runs.

Chasing a daunting target of 348, India’s batting lineup collapsed under Pakistan’s disciplined bowling.

The visitors were bowled out for 156 in just 26.2 overs. No.10 batter Deepesh Devendran remained India’s top scorer with 36 off 16 balls, while Suryavanshi made 26.

Ali Raza was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 42 runs in 6.2 overs.

Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan each took two wickets, dismantling the Indian batting order with precision.

Sarfaraz hailed as ‘iconic leader’

The emphatic victory against India triggered celebrations on social media.

Fans credited Sarfaraz Ahmed for his mentorship, describing him as an “iconic leader” who guided the team to success.

– Won U19 World Cup as captain.
– Won Champions Trophy as captain.
– Won U19 Asia Cup as mentor.

SARFARAZ AHMED – AN ICONIC LEADER. 🥶#U19AsiaCupfinal pic.twitter.com/Y8IxqC3pXJ

— Syed Saad (@s_saad2004) December 21, 2025

Many highlighted his dominant record against India in tournament finals.

Sarfaraz Ahmed always enjoys being part of a final against India 😉 pic.twitter.com/Uvm6HfHLRE

— Cricwick (@Cricwick) December 21, 2025

Sarfaraz previously captained Pakistan to victory over India in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup in 2006 and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2017.

Fans noted the similarities between the recent final and the 2017 Champions Trophy, where Pakistan scored heavily and bowled India out inside 30 overs.

– Defeated India in the U19 World Cup final as captain in 2006
– Defeated India in the Champions Trophy final as captain in 2017
– Defeated India in the U19 Asia Cup final as mentor in 2025

If humiliating India is an art, Sarfaraz Ahmed is the Picasso of it 🇵🇰🇮🇳🚨 pic.twitter.com/x7Nm0fOHJQ

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 21, 2025

“Defeated India in the U19 World Cup final as captain in 2006. Defeated India in the Champions Trophy final as captain in 2017. Defeated India in the U19 Asia Cup final as mentor in 2025,” tweeted cricket fan Muzammal Shah.

– Defeated India in the U19 World Cup final as captain in 2006
– Defeated India in the Champions Trophy final as captain in 2017
– Defeated India in the U19 Asia Cup final as mentor in 2025

If humiliating India is an art, Sarfaraz Ahmed is the Picasso of it 🇵🇰🇮🇳🚨 pic.twitter.com/F2D5Ds8d92

— Muzammal Shah (@imuzammalshah) December 21, 2025

Another fan, Musaib Mehraj, called the final a “replica” of the 2017 Champions Trophy final, adding: “Sarfaraz Ahmed, you are special. A true ambassador.”

This contest was much like a replica of the CT 2017 final, where Pak scored a mammoth total on the back of a daddy 100 by an opener & in reply Ind blown away inside 30 overs defeating them by a humongous 191 runs. Sarfaraz Ahmed u r special a true ambassador #Under19AsiaCupfinal pic.twitter.com/hEIUyEceWr

— Musaib Mehraj (@MusiTwEATS) December 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Ahmed has represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and astute captains in Pakistan cricket history.

Under his leadership, Pakistan won two ICC titles – the U19 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. He also led the national side to the top of the T20I rankings and achieved 11 consecutive series victories in the shortest format.

First Tournament as Mentor

First Trophy in the Cabinet

One word for Sarfaraz Ahmed pic.twitter.com/7LX7cvxXKJ

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) December 21, 2025

Name: Sarfaraz Ahmed
Age: 38 years
Hobby: Smashing India in
tournament finals
pic.twitter.com/FUHJnD2UGe

— 𝐀. (@was_abdd) December 21, 2025

After Pakistan's 191 run win over India in the U19 Asia Cup final, a fan urges PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to make Sarfaraz Ahmed senior team mentor ahead of T20 World Cup 2026. Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy, is currently U19 mentor.

Credits: @saudjarwar1… pic.twitter.com/72jZo9kdE2

— Pakistan Connect (@Pak_Connect) December 21, 2025