India vs Pakistan U-19 Asia Cup Final:
In the grand finale of the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan triumphed over India by 191 runs on a Sunday showdown. This blockbuster match unfolded at Dubai's prestigious ICC Academy Ground. Off to a flying start, Pakistan set an ambitious 348-run target within 50 overs. However, the Indian brigade could only muster 156 runs.
The Indian side's chase began explosively, only to lose four wickets in quick succession. Captain Aayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were sent packing by Ali Raza. Aayush managed a mere 2 runs, yet Vaibhav entertained with 3 sixes and a four, contributing 26 runs off just 10 balls. Aiming for big scores, Aaron George (16 runs) and Vihaan Malhotra (7 runs) also faltered. When Vihaan fell, India stood at 59/4. Vedant Trivedi (9 runs) was expected to anchor but fell to a sharp delivery from Mohammad Saiyam. Consequently, the Indian innings collapsed like a deck of cards, bowled out by the 27th over.
Sameer Minhas' Explosive Century:
Winning the toss, Pakistan amassed 347 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Despite an early setback, with losing wicket-keeper batsman Hamza Zahoor (18 runs) in just the fourth over, caught off fast bowler Henil Patel's delivery, Pakistan staged a comeback. Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan settled the innings with a solid 92-run partnership for the second wicket.
Post Usman Khan's dismissal, Sameer Minhas partnered with Ahmed Hussain for a monumental 137-run stand for the third wicket. During this, Sameer hit 12 fours and 4 sixes, marking his second century in the tournament. Kuran Patel dismissed Hussain, halting the partnership; Hussain scored 56 off 72 balls with 2 fours and a six.
Read More: Meet Sameer Minhas - The Star Scorer with a 172-Run Show in Finals Against India
The Under-19 Asia Cup ran in a 50-over format. India was in Group A, alongside Pakistan, Malaysia, and hosts UAE. Meanwhile, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan constituted the other group. The top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals.
India, emerging triumphant in all its group matches, topped the semi-finals. They crushed UAE by 234 runs, demolished Pakistan by 90 runs, and obliterated Malaysia by 315 runs. In the semi-finals, India subdued Sri Lanka by 8 wickets, while in the other semi-final, Pakistan overpowered the defending champions, Bangladesh, in a similar 8-wicket victory.
India's Final Playing 11:
Aayush Mhatre (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhijna Kundu (wicketkeeper), Kanishk Chauhan, Henil Patel, Kuran Patel, Depeesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh
Pakistan's Final Playing 11:
Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousuf (captain), Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Huzaifa Ahsan, Naqab Shafiq, Mohammad Shyyan, Ali Raza, Abdullah Subhan, Mohammad Saiyam.
This was the 12th edition of the prestigious Under-19 Asia Cup. Historically, India has been the tournament's most successful team, claiming the title 8 times (1989, 2003, 2012, 2013–14, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021). Meanwhile, Bangladesh emerged victorious in 2023 and 2024. Afghanistan also celebrated a win in 2017. Notably, in the 2012 edition, a tied final led India and Pakistan to be declared joint winners.
