Dubai – Pakistan delivered a commanding performance in the U19 Asia Cup final, thrashing India by a massive 191 runs to claim their second youth tournament title after a 13-year wait. Sameer Minhas’s spectacular 172-run innings powered Pakistan to a formidable 347/8 before their bowlers bundled India out for a paltry 156, producing one of the most dominant victories in Asia Cup final history.
Sameer Minhas Powers Pakistan to Mammoth Total
The U19 Asia Cup final witnessed an extraordinary batting display from Sameer Minhas, who anchored Pakistan’s innings with a power-packed 172 runs. His blistering knock came off just 71 balls and was peppered with authoritative boundaries that left India’s bowling attack searching for answers throughout the innings. Minhas’s century laid the foundation for Pakistan’s imposing total of 347/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Ahmed Hussain provided valuable support to Minhas during the U19 Asia Cup final, contributing a solid 56 runs before his dismissal. The partnership between the two batsmen put Pakistan firmly in command and built the platform for their eventual massive total. Minhas continued relentlessly even after Hussain’s departure, keeping the scoreboard ticking and maintaining Pakistan’s aggressive momentum.
India’s Late Fightback Proves Insufficient
Despite Pakistan’s dominance in the U19 Asia Cup final, India managed to spark a late mini-collapse with quick wickets during the death overs. Devendran emerged as the pick of India’s bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/83 from his 10 overs. Henil Patel also contributed by dismissing Hamza Zahoor early, providing India with an initial breakthrough after Pakistan’s positive start.
However, these efforts proved insufficient to contain Pakistan’s batting onslaught in the U19 Asia Cup final. The late wickets came after Pakistan had already established a commanding position, and Minhas’s innings had already inflicted significant damage. India’s bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure throughout the innings as Pakistan posted their highest total of the tournament.
India’s Chase Collapses Dramatically
India’s pursuit of 348 runs in the U19 Asia Cup final began promisingly but quickly spiraled out of control. Vaibhav Suryavanshi came out with clear intent and fearless strokeplay, racing to a brisk start that signaled India’s attacking approach early in the demanding chase. The teenage sensation scored 26 runs before his dismissal amid a tense exchange with a Pakistan bowler, leaving India three wickets down.
After Suryavanshi’s departure, the U19 Asia Cup final turned decisively in Pakistan’s favor as India never managed a comeback. The Indian batting line-up suffered a dramatic seven-wicket collapse under relentless pressure from Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Captain Ayush Mhatre, who had won the toss and elected to field first, fell early in the innings, setting the tone for India’s batting struggles.
Pakistan’s Bowling Dominance Seals Victory
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained exceptional control throughout India’s innings in the U19 Asia Cup final, picking up wickets at regular intervals and never allowing any meaningful partnership to develop. The pressure built steadily as India’s batsmen struggled to cope with the required run rate and quality bowling from Pakistan’s attack.
The Indian team was eventually bundled out for just 156 runs, falling well short of their target and suffering one of their heaviest defeats in recent youth tournament history. The 191-run margin of victory in the U19 Asia Cup final stands as one of the most comprehensive wins in the tournament’s history, showcasing Pakistan’s complete dominance across all departments.
Tournament Recognition and Celebrations
Sameer Minhas received double honors following his match-winning performance in the U19 Asia Cup final, earning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards. His consistent performances throughout the competition, culminating in his spectacular 172 in the final, made him the standout performer of the entire tournament.
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Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the team on their triumph, while former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed basked in the glory of the young team’s achievement. The victory marked Pakistan’s second U19 Asia Cup title, with their previous triumph coming 13 years ago.
India’s Tournament Journey
Despite the disappointing result in the U19 Asia Cup final, India had produced commanding performances throughout the tournament. Led confidently by Ayush Mhatre, the team cruised through Group A unbeaten and brushed aside Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the semifinals. India had even defeated Pakistan by 90 runs during the group stage, reinforcing their status as tournament favorites.
India’s journey featured remarkable individual performances, including Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s breathtaking 171 off 95 balls against UAE, helping India post 433/6. Seventeen-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu made history by smashing an unbeaten 209 off 125 balls against Malaysia, becoming the first Indian to register a double century in Youth ODIs.
Final Outcome and Legacy
The U19 Asia Cup final ultimately belonged to Pakistan, who executed their game plan to perfection and claimed a memorable victory over their traditional rivals. The comprehensive nature of their win demonstrated the depth of Pakistan’s youth cricket talent and their ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes encounters. For India, despite falling short in the U19 Asia Cup final, the tournament showcased promising young talent that will serve Indian cricket well in the future.
