Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Monday, 22 December 2025 03:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Pakistan’s Sameer Minhas celebrates his century against India in the final
Opener Sameer Minhas blitzed his way to 172 off 113 balls, setting up Pakistan’s demolition of India by 191 runs in the Under-19 Asia Cup final played in Dubai yesterday.
In response to Pakistan’s 347-8, India folded for 156 in 26.2 overs.
Minhas’ knock was the highest individual score for Pakistan, and also the highest individual score by any batter in a final in Youth ODIs. He hit 17 fours and 9 sixes during his stay, and fell in the 43rd over, finishing with a strike rate of 152.21.
In response, Vaibhav Suryavanshi – having scored 5, 50, 9, and 26 in the tournament since his 171 against United Arab Emirates (UAE) – made an explosive start to India’s chase. He smashed 3 sixes and a four, but Ali Raza had him nicking off for 26 off 10 balls. By the end of the powerplay, India were 68-5.
Pakistan came into the final having bowled out each of their opposing batting line-ups in the tournament. This contest was no different – four Pakistan bowlers shared wickets among them, with Raza prising out three more wickets to finish with match figures of 4/42.
India were reduced to 120-9, but Deepesh Devendran offered some late resistance with 36 off 16 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. No other India batter passed 30 in the chase. India’s innings ended when Raza had Devendran holing out in the 27th over.
Earlier in the day, Devendran had copped punishment from the Pakistan batters, conceding 83 runs in his 10 overs. though he took three wickets at the death.
Minhas was well-supported by Ahmed Hussain – the only other batter to cross fifty in the innings. Hussain made 56 off 72 balls and added 137 for the third wicket along with Minhas.
Pakistan faced a slight slowdown in the death overs, especially once Minhas was dismissed – they only managed 71 runs in the final 10 for the loss of five wickets. Devendran took three of those wickets, but his death bowling was a footnote by the time he swung for the hills in India’s chase, and was eventually caught at point.
Pakistan wrapped up the match and tuned up nicely for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup.
