Minhas Magic and Pakistan’s Power Play: U-19 Asia Cup Glory After 12 Long Years

In the searing Dubai heat, under the blinding brilliance of a grand finale, Pakistan’s colts turned up with fire in their eyes and thunder in their bats. What followed was nothing short of a demolition job — a 191-run statement that restored Pakistan’s legacy in the Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, their first outright title after sharing the crown with India in 2013.

It was a day that belonged to Sameer Minhas — a name that echoed around the stands and will be remembered for years. The right-hander unleashed a masterclass, a scintillating 172 off 134 balls, decorated with 16 boundaries and seven towering sixes. In a contest that was supposed to test his temperament, he turned it into a batting exhibition.

When India’s skipper Aayush Mhatre won the toss and chose to bowl, his move was tactical. But Pakistan, by their own skipper Farhan Yousaf’s account, were “happy to lose the toss.” Their plan was simple — pile on runs and let scoreboard pressure do the rest. Minhas began solidly, finding good support from Azan Awais (58) and Saad Baig (42), as Pakistan galloped to a formidable 347 for 8 in 50 overs.

India’s chase began with promise — 32 runs in the first two overs with Mhatre and Adarsh Singh taking the attack to the pacers. The crowd sensed a contest. But as Ravi Shastri would roar on commentary, “One wicket and the floodgates open!”

Mhatre’s mistimed drive in the third over changed everything. In the blink of an eye, India were 68 for 5 by the end of the Powerplay. The Pakistani seamers — Aimal Khan (3/29) and Naseem Shah Jr. (2/37) — hit their lengths like pros, while spinner Arham Nawaz (3/42) applied the choke in the middle overs.

A few stray chances went down, but it mattered little as India’s innings crumbled for 156 in just 26.2 overs. A brief late cameo from Deepesh Devendran (34 off 21) delayed the curtain, but not the inevitable applause for Pakistan’s dominance.

For Pakistan, this wasn’t just victory — it was redemption. After losing their tournament opener to the same Indian side, they regrouped, recalibrated, and rose like champions. Captain Farhan Yousaf, brimming with pride, summed it best: “We lost the first match, but the management kept morale high. The boys believed… and delivered when it mattered most.”

Sameer Minhas, fittingly, walked away with both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. With over 400 runs across the tournament, he was the engine, the elegance, and the excitement of Pakistan’s campaign.

As the green shirts lifted the silverware under floodlights, it was as if the ghosts of 2013 had finally been laid to rest. The script couldn’t have been written better — a vintage Pakistan performance, brimming with flair, fight, and fireworks.