In a commanding display at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on December 21, 2025, Pakistan Under-19 crushed India Under-19 by 191 runs in the final, claiming their second Under-19 Asia Cup title—their first outright victory since 2012.
- Opener Sameer Minhas smashed a record-breaking 172 off 113 balls (17 fours, 9 sixes), the highest individual score in a U19 Asia Cup final.
- Pakistan posted a massive 347/8 after being asked to bat first.
- India’s chase collapsed dramatically to 156 all out in just 26.2 overs, with pacer Ali Raza taking 4/42.
- Sameer Minhas was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series (471 runs in the tournament).
Toss and Pakistan’s Explosive Innings
India captain Ayush Mhatre won the toss and chose to field, likely hoping to exploit early conditions on a flat pitch. The decision proved costly as Pakistan‘s openers seized the initiative.
Sameer Minhas, the 19-year-old from Multan, dominated from the start. He raced to his fifty in 29 balls and century in 71—the second-fastest of the tournament. His partnerships were crucial: a solid stand with Hamza Zahoor early on, followed by a 100+ partnership with Ahmed Hussain (56 off 72 balls).
Pakistan cruised past 300 before Minhas fell for 172, caught attempting another big shot. A late flurry from the lower order, including Mohammad Sayyam’s six on the final ball, pushed them to 347/8. India’s bowlers struggled for control—Deepesh Devendran took 3/83 but went for plenty, while others leaked runs on a batting-friendly surface.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sameer Minhas | 172 | 113 | 17 | 9 | c Devendran b Patel; Player of Match/Series |
| Ahmed Hussain | 56 | 72 | 3 | 1 | c Mhatre b Patel |
| Usman Khan | 33 | – | – | – | Contributed to middle order |
| Farhan Yousaf (c) | 20+ | – | – | – | Late contributions |
| Others | Varied low scores with quick runs | – | – | – | Late acceleration despite 5 wickets falling for 25 runs post-Minhas |
India’s Disastrous Chase and Collapse
Chasing 348, India needed a strong start. Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided it briefly, blasting 26 off 10 balls with aggressive boundaries. However, his dismissal sparked a catastrophic collapse—from 49/1 to 59/4 in quick succession.
Captain Ayush Mhatre fell early for 2, leading to some heated on-field exchanges. The middle order offered no resistance against Pakistan’s pace attack, with extra bounce proving lethal. Ali Raza ripped through with 4 wickets, supported by Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan.
Only lower-order batter Deepesh Devendran showed fight with 36 off 16 balls, but it was too little, too late. India folded for 156 in the 27th over—their second-lowest batting effort in a Youth ODI when bowled out.
India Batting Scorecard Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 26 | 10 | 5 | 1 | Explosive but short |
| Ayush Mhatre (c) | 2 | 8 | – | – | Early wicket; verbal exchanges |
| Deepesh Devendran | 36 | 16 | 4 | 2 | Top scorer; late resistance |
| Khilan Patel | 19 | 23 | – | – | Brief stay |
| Others | Single digits mostly | – | – | – | Regular wickets; no partnerships |
Post-Match Reactions and Celebrations
Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf revealed the team had planned to bat first anyway and praised the collective effort: “We were happy we lost the toss… Boys collectively performed, very happy.”
Sameer Minhas, carried on teammates’ shoulders, called it a memorable day playing his natural game.
India’s Ayush Mhatre admitted: “We just had an off day. They batted really well; we could’ve bowled better lines.”
ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy amid jubilant scenes. Pakistan players celebrated wildly, with Minhas earning double awards.
Social media buzzed with pride in Pakistan—grand airport welcomes with fireworks awaited the team—while Indian fans reflected on a rare off-day for a dominant side.
Records Broken and Tournament Context
- Sameer Minhas’ 172 surpassed Sami Aslam’s 134 (2012 final) as the highest in a U19 Asia Cup final.
- His 9 sixes: Most in a Youth ODI tournament final.
- Pakistan’s first outright title since 2012 (shared with India in 2013).
- Avenged their group-stage 90-run loss to India.
- Boost for both teams ahead of the U19 World Cup next month—Pakistan with momentum, India with lessons.
This final showcased emerging talents like Minhas, Ali Raza, and India’s young guns, promising exciting futures in Asian cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 final?
Pakistan Under-19 defeated India Under-19 by 191 runs to claim the title. Pakistan scored 347/8, powered by Sameer Minhas’ 172, while India were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs.
What was Sameer Minhas’ performance in the final?
Sameer Minhas scored 172 runs off 113 balls, including 17 fours and 9 sixes. This is the highest individual score in any Under-19 Asia Cup final, surpassing previous records. He was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series (471 runs in the tournament).
Where and when was the final played?
The final was held on December 21, 2025, at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, UAE. India won the toss and chose to bowl first.
What records were broken in this match?
Sameer Minhas’ 172 is the highest score in a U19 Asia Cup final and also the highest in any Youth ODI tournament final, eclipsing Quinton de Kock’s 146. His 9 sixes are the most in a Youth ODI final, and he collected the most boundary runs (122) for Pakistan in a Youth ODI innings.
How significant is this win for Pakistan U19?
This is Pakistan’s second U19 Asia Cup title—their first outright victory since 2012 (they shared the title with India in one edition). It avenges their group-stage loss to India in the same tournament and provides strong momentum ahead of the upcoming U19 World Cup.
