KEY POINTS
- Coach Shahid Anwar credits the victory to a “fearless but not careless” mindset.
- PM Sharif announced a cash reward of Rs10 million for each player.
- Team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed criticised India’s conduct in the final as “unethical”.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-19 head coach Shahid Anwar on Monday said the team’s Asia Cup success was built on a “fearless but not careless” mindset, crediting disciplined preparation and positive intent for the young side’s dominant title-winning performance.
The young squad, fresh from a 191-run triumph over India in Dubai, was honoured with a personal meeting and a Rs10 million reward for each player from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Shahid Anwar outlined the extensive, ten-month preparation that began last June, involving trials for 70 players and culminating in an intensive five-month training camp for the final 30.
This process, he said, built the unity and intent necessary for their success.
The team’s leadership highlighted a supportive environment as key to the win. Mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed encouraged the players to express their natural game, while Captain Farhan Yousaf revealed that the management’s policy of absorbing responsibility for losses helped maintain high team morale.
Star performer Sameer Minhas, who scored a decisive 172 runs in the final, attributed his success to a straightforward focus on execution.
Anwar praised the squad’s core attributes of resilience and adaptability, which the coaching staff refined to secure the championship.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Under-19 team mentor and former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has publicly criticised India’s conduct during the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025 final, labelling it as “unethical” and lacking in sportsmanship.
The comments come after Pakistan’s dominant 191-run victory, where they bowled India out for 156 while defending a massive 348-run target.
Speaking at a media conference, Sarfaraz did not mince words regarding the opposition’s behaviour. “India’s behaviour regarding the game was not good, and the Indian team’s conduct in cricket was unethical,” he stated.
“But we celebrated the victory with sportsmanship, because there should always be sportsmanship in cricket; what India did is their own action.”
The 2017 Champions Trophy-winning captain also revealed a significant national recognition for the young champions.
He confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a cash reward of Rs10 million for each team member following their historic achievement, the country’s first ACC U-19 Asia Cup title.
“The Prime Minister has announced a reward of Rs10 million for each player, and in the future, these young players will make the country proud,” Sarfaraz added.
Sarfaraz singled out key batting performances, emphasising that Ahmed Hussain’s gritty 56 was as crucial as Sameer Minhas’s match-winning 172.
Head coach Shahid Anwar detailed the team’s rigorous preparation, which began with a talent hunt in June and culminated in a focused camp in Karachi.
