Pakistan Under-19s delivered a ruthless all-round performance to clinch the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 title, hammering India Under-19s by 191 runs in the final at ICCA Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan piled up 347/8 in their 50 overs and then ripped through India's chase to bowl them out for 156 in 26.2 overs, completing a comprehensive win that was set up by overwhelming dominance in both the powerplay and the middle overs.
The final was defined by Sameer Minhas, who produced a match-winning innings of 172 from 113 balls, laced with 17 fours and nine sixes. He combined clean hitting with smart tempo management, ensuring Pakistan never lost control of the scoring rate, even when wickets fell at the other end. Pakistan’s intent was clear early as they surged to 79/1 inside the first 10 overs, and their grip tightened through the middle phase, where they stacked runs with minimal disruption to reach a position from which a towering total became inevitable.
Minhas' stand with Ahmed Hussain proved particularly decisive as Pakistan pushed the game beyond India’s reach. Hussain played the ideal supporting role with 56 off 72, while Usman Khan contributed 35 off 45 and Farhan Yousaf added 19 off 18 to keep India under constant pressure. Late runs from Niqab Shafiq (12 not out) and Mohammad Sayyam (13 not out) ensured Pakistan finished strongly, closing at 347/8 and leaving India with a chase that required a near-perfect start.
India’s bowlers managed wickets, especially late in the innings, but could not stem the flow once Minhas found his rhythm. Deepesh Devendran took three, while Henil Patel and Khilan Patel picked up two each, yet Pakistan’s boundary-heavy approach meant the damage accumulated rapidly. Pakistan’s innings included 15 sixes and 28 fours, and the scoreboard pressure that came with that striking power was always likely to define the contest.
India’s chase began in the worst possible fashion as Pakistan’s pace and accuracy dismantled the top order and created instant panic. India slumped to 68/5 inside the first 10 overs, and the match effectively ended there as Pakistan’s bowlers closed off singles, forced dot balls, and struck regularly enough to prevent any partnership from taking root. Although Deepesh Devendran struck a quick 36 off 16 and Vaibhav Suryavanshi blasted 26 off 10, the required rate and constant wickets ensured those flashes never developed into a sustained fightback.
Pakistan’s bowling unit shared the spoils with clinical efficiency, led by Ali Raza’s 4/42 in 6.2 overs. Abdul Subhan (2/29), Mohammad Sayyam (2/38), and Huzaifa Ahsan (2/12) maintained relentless pressure, completing the job as India were dismissed for 156 in 26.2 overs. The margin of victory underlined just how thoroughly Pakistan controlled the final from start to finish.
Minhas' performance earned him Player of the Match honours, and he also finished as Player of the Series with 471 runs, capping a tournament in which he repeatedly delivered in big moments.
