Pakistan humiliated India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, amassing 347 for 8 before skittling their rivals for just 156
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
DUBAI: Pakistan defeated India to win the Under-19 Asia Cup after a dominant display in the final, beating their arch-rivals by a huge margin of 191 runs. Opener Sameer Minhas produced a record-breaking innings, scoring 172 runs, the highest individual score in the history of an Under-19 Asia Cup final.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a commanding total of 347 for 8. In response, India’s much-vaunted batting line-up collapsed and was bowled out for 156 in just 26.2 overs. Fast bowler Ali Raza led the attack, taking 4 wickets for 42 runs and breaking the backbone of the Indian innings.
India were dismissed in 26.2 overs, underlining Pakistan’s bowling dominance and sharp fielding after the interval. The margin of victory was the largest in the history of Under-19 Asia Cup finals. It sealed a comprehensive and emphatic triumph for Pakistan. Man of the Match Sameer Minhas was hoisted onto his teammates’ shoulders as the celebrations began.
Indian captain Ayush Mahatre won the toss and chose to bowl, likely expecting early assistance for his fast bowlers. The decision backfired. Sameer Minhas attacked from the outset. Hamza Zahoor fell early for 18, but Sami then added 92 runs for the second wicket and 137 for the third with Usman Khan, who scored 35, and Ahmed Hussain, who made 56. Pakistan tightened their grip on the match.
Sami reached his century off just 71 balls and went on to score 172 from 113 deliveries. His innings included 17 fours and nine sixes. He was finally dismissed in the 43rd over by a slower ball from Deepesh Devendran. Pakistan lost five wickets for 45 runs at the end and fell short of 400, but their total of 347 was still the highest ever in an Under-19 Asia Cup final. For India, Patel took 2 for 44, while Devendran finished with 3 for 83.
Chasing 348, India began briskly. Ali Raza conceded 21 runs in the opening over. Vaibhav Suryavinshi struck a six and a four in an over that also included extra deliveries and runs. He continued in the same vein, scoring 26 off 10 balls with three sixes and a four.
The momentum shifted sharply once Pakistan’s pace bowlers settled. Mahatre was caught at mid-off for 2. Erin George missed a pull shot and was out for 16 from nine balls. Suryavinshi was also dismissed. Those three wickets, shared between Ali Raza and Mohammad Siam, left India 49 for 3 inside five overs.
The collapse continued. Vihan Malhotra was bowled by Abdul Subhan for 7. Vedant Trivedi was caught at short midwicket for 9. Abhigyan Kundu edged to deep third man for 13. Kanishk Chauhan made 9 and Khalin Patel 19, but neither could halt the slide.
Deepesh Devendran offered brief resistance at the end, scoring 36 off 16 balls with six fours and two sixes. His dismissal, attempting a lofted shot towards point off Ali Raza, ended India’s last hopes. Abdul Subhan took 2 for 29, off-spinner Huzaifa Ahsan claimed 2 for 12, and Mohammad Siam supported the attack with 2 for 38.
