KEY POINTS
- Pakistan aim to end a 36-year wait to win their first-ever U19 Asia Cup title.
- Batting star Sameer Minhas and pacer Abdul Subhan to lead Pakistan’s charge.
- Captain Farhan Yousaf highlighted fielding and all-round consistency as key to success.
DUBAI: Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team stands on the brink of history as they prepare to face arch-rivals India in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup final on Sunday at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
After 11 editions and a 36-year wait, the young Shaheens have a landmark opportunity to clinch Pakistan’s maiden title in the tournament.
The most intense rivalry in world cricket finds its way back to the final stage 🙌
India U19. Pakistan U19. No margins. No second chances. 🇮🇳🇵🇰
Tomorrow, it’s all on the line as they battle for the coveted #DPWorldMensU19AsiaCup2025 🏆#GrandFinale #INDvPAK #ACC pic.twitter.com/WQLYdxdos7
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) December 20, 2025
Quest for missing crown
Despite being two-time ICC U19 World Cup champions (2004, 2006), Pakistan have never lifted the U19 Asia Cup trophy since its inception in 1989.
Sunday’s final offers the chance to fill a glaring gap in the nation’s trophy cabinet and secure a long-awaited continental crown at the youth level.
All-round form fuels belief
Pakistan’s progress has been built on collective performances. After advancing from the group stage, they stormed into the final with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final.
Captain Farhan Yousaf emphasised the team’s balance: “Our fielding unit has been outstanding, the batting performed well in the last match, and the bowling has been consistent throughout.”
Star performers ready to shine
Leading the charge is batting star Sameer Minhas, Pakistan’s top scorer with 299 runs in four matches, including a century and a fifty.
With the ball, right-arm pacer Abdul Subhan has been outstanding, taking 11 wickets in just three games, well-supported by left-arm seamer Mohammad Sayyam (8 wickets).
Confident camp eyes glory
Ahead of the high-pressure clash, captain Farhan Yousaf said morale is high.
“We aim to carry forward the momentum, play aggressive cricket, give our 100 per cent, and are hopeful of a result going in our team’s favour.”
Speaking to PCB Digital, captain Farhan Yousaf expressed confidence, stating: “Our preparation is excellent and team morale is very high, with strong support from management. We respect Bangladesh as tough opponents, but our all-round performance, outstanding fielding, solid recent batting, and consistent bowling have been key to our success.
Yousaf said, “For the final, we are confident and will carry forward our momentum with aggressive, 100% effort to achieve a favourable result.”
Final challenge against India
Standing in their way is a strong Indian side, setting up another thrilling chapter in the historic rivalry.
With key players in form and a united squad spirit, Pakistan’s youngsters have the chance to make history and bring home their first U19 Asia Cup trophy on Sunday.
ACC U19 winners history
Since the tournament’s inception in 1989, Pakistan, who are the winners of the 2004 and 2006 ICC Men’s U19 World Cups, have yet to claim the U19 Asia Cup title in its 11 editions.
The 2012 ACC U19 Asia Cup final between Pakistan and India in Kuala Lumpur produced a nail-biting tie, with both teams scoring 282 runs.
The dramatic finish led to the trophy being shared between the two rivals.
ACC U19 Winners
- 1989/90: India Under-19s
- 2003/04: India Under-19s
- 2012: Trophy shared (Pakistan vs. India)
- 2013/14: India Under-19s
- 2016/17: India Under-19s
- 2017/18: Afghanistan Under-19s
- 2018/19: India Under-19s
- 2019: India Under-19s
- 2021/22: India Under-19s
- 2023/24: Bangladesh Under-19s
- 2024/25: Bangladesh Under-19s
- 2025/26: To be decided
Pakistan Squad
Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq and Sameer Minhas.
India Squad
Ayush Mhatre (C), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (vc), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Deepesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh*, Udhav Mohan, Aaron George.
