Sameer Minhas delivered one of the most dominant performances ever seen in youth cricket as Pakistan crushed India by 191 runs to lift the Under-19 Asia Cup title in Dubai. The opener’s breathtaking 172 off 113 balls powered Pakistan to an imposing 347 for 8, before a ruthless bowling display bundled India out for 156 in 26.2 overs.
Minhas’ innings was nothing short of extraordinary. Mixing brute power with composure, he struck 17 fours and 9 sixes, registering the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter and the highest score in a Youth ODI final. Batting at a strike rate of 152.21, Minhas controlled the final from start to finish, dismantling India’s bowling attack with authority.
The foundation of Pakistan’s massive total was a crucial 137-run third-wicket partnership between Minhas and Ahmed Hussain. Hussain played the perfect supporting role, compiling a fluent 56 off 72 balls, ensuring momentum never dipped through the middle overs. Although Pakistan slowed slightly at the death, adding 71 runs in the final ten overs, the damage had already been inflicted.
India’s chase began with brief fireworks courtesy of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who launched three sixes and a four in a rapid 26 off 10 balls. However, once Ali Raza found the edge, the innings unraveled dramatically. India slumped to 68 for 5 inside the powerplay, and from there, the contest became one-sided.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless, continuing a tournament-long trend of dismantling opposition batting line-ups. Ali Raza led the attack with 4 for 42, supported by disciplined spells across the unit. India were reduced to 120 for 9, with only Deepesh Devendran’s late 36 off 16 balls offering resistance. The innings ended fittingly when Raza claimed the final wicket.
The triumph crowned an unforgettable tournament for Minhas, who was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament. His astonishing tally of 471 runs in just five innings, at an average of 157, underlined a level of dominance rarely witnessed at Under-19 level.
Pakistan’s emphatic victory not only reaffirmed their pedigree in youth cricket but also sent a powerful statement ahead of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup. With Sameer Minhas at the peak of his powers, Pakistan look primed for an even bigger stage, and possibly, a future superstar has just announced himself to the cricketing world.
