Sameer Minhas ton helps Pakistan beat India by 191 runs in final to clinch U19 Asia Cup 2025 title

Pakistan defeated India comprehensively by 191 runs in the final to win the U19 Asia Cup 2025 title at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Sunday, December 21. Opener Sameer Minhas starred with the bat, while pacer Ali Raza impressed with the ball as Pakistan produced a solid all-round display in the high-pressure summit clash to win the trophy.

Pakistan brought an end to a 13-year-long wait for their second U19 Asia Cup title, having last won the tournament in 2012. India, the most successful side in the history of the tournament with eight titles, headed into the final on Sunday as the favourites, but were outclassed by the Farhan Yousaf-led side.

Minhas slammed a brilliant knock of 172 runs to help Pakistan U19 post a huge total of 347/8 on the board in 50 overs. In reply, India were skittled out for a paltry 156 runs in just 26.2 overs after a terrible batting collapse. Raza was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan U19 with a four-wicket haul during India's run chase.

India skipper Ayush Mhatre and rising star Vaibhav Suryavanshi flopped in the all-important final as Raza ran riot against the Indian top order by dismissing both batters. He got rid of Mhatre cheaply on 2 off 7 balls in the third over of India's run chase, before dismissing Suryavanshi on 26 off 10 balls in the 5th over.

The expectations were high from captain Mhatre and Suryavanshi, however, both failed to deliver in the final. Mhatre was caught by Farhan Yousaf after playing a shot straight into his hands, while Suryavanshi perished, trying to continue his attacking game after getting off to a flyer in the run chase.

The duo's early departure triggered a batting collapse as India kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The likes of Abhigyan Kundu (13), who slammed a double ton against Malaysia earlier in the tournament, and Vihaan Malhotra (7) also failed to get going as India suffered a crushing defeat in the title clash.

Talented young batter Minhas starred for Pakistan in the final with a stupendous knock of 172 runs off just 113 balls, which was laced with 9 sixes and 17 fours. Minhas registered the highest-ever individual score by any batter in the history of U19 Asia Cup finals, surpassing former Pakistan U19 batter Sami Aslam’s 134 against India in Kuala Lumpur in 2012.

Asked to bat first at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Pakistan got off to a solid start courtesy of Minhas, who looked in great touch and took the attacking route from the onset. Henil Patel struck in the 4th over to dismiss Minhas' opening partner Hamza Zahoor cheaply on 18 off 14 balls, however, the right-hander continued his onslaught from the other end.

Minhas went on to notch up his fifty off just 29 balls before bringing up his century in just 71 balls. He shared a crucial 92-run stand for the second wicket with Usman Khan (35) and added important partnership of 137 runs for the third wicket with Ahmed Hussain, who scored 56 off 72 balls.

Minhas was dismissed by Deepesh Devendran in the 43rd over, however, Pakistan had already crossed the 300-run mark at the time of his departure. Indian bowlers did well to restrict Pakistan on 347/8 after his dismissal, but the batters failed to deliver as Mhatre & Co. suffered a huge defeat in the final.