Dubai, Monday, December 22, 2025 – Pakistan secured the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title with a commanding 191-run win against India in the final at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday. Sameer Minhas smashed 172 runs, while Ali Raza claimed four wickets as Pakistan posted 347 for eight and bowled India out for 156.
This Pakistan U19 Asia Cup win marks the team’s first outright title in the tournament. Previously joint winners in 2012, Pakistan avenged a group-stage defeat to India earlier in the event. The result highlights emerging talent in South Asian cricket amid intense rivalry between the two nations, boosting prospects for future international stars.
Pakistan Vs India U19 Final: Batting Dominance
Pakistan captain opted to bat after India won the toss and chose to field. Openers set a solid foundation despite an early loss of Hamza Zahoor for 18. Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a record-breaking 172 off 113 balls, including 17 fours and nine sixes. This Sameer Minhas U19 century became the highest individual score in a U19 Asia Cup final.
Minhas formed key partnerships: 92 runs for the second wicket with Usman Khan, who scored 35 off 45 balls with three fours and one six, and 137 runs for the third wicket with Ahmed Hussain. Hussain contributed 56 off 45 balls, hitting three fours and one six. Farhan Yousaf added 19 off 18 balls, Niqab Shafiq remained not out on 12, and Mohammad Sayyam scored 13 not out.
India’s bowlers struggled. Deepesh Devendran took three wickets for 83 runs, while Khilan Patel claimed two for 44. Pakistan’s total of 347 for eight stands as the highest in any U19 Asia Cup final. The innings featured aggressive stroke play, with Minhas accelerating after the powerplay.
Ali Raza U19 Bowling Shines In Chase
India’s reply started aggressively. Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 26 off 10 balls, with three sixes and one four. However, Ali Raza struck early, dismissing captain Ayush Mhatre for two, Aaron George for 16, and Suryavanshi. Raza finished with four for 42 in 6.2 overs, dismantling the top order.
Vihaan Malhotra scored seven before being bowled by Abdul Subhan. Vedant Trivedi made nine, Abhigyan Kundu 13, and Kanishk Chouhan nine. Khilan Patel added 19, but Deepesh Devendran top-scored with 36 off 16 balls, including six fours and two sixes. India collapsed to 156 in 26.2 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared spoils. Abdul Subhan took two for 29, Huzaifa Ahsan two for 12, and Mohammad Sayyam two for 38. This Ali Raza U19 bowling performance ensured a swift end to the innings, with India losing wickets at regular intervals.
The 191-run margin is the largest in U19 Asia Cup final history. Pakistan entered as underdogs against unbeaten India but delivered a clinical display. Minhas earned player of the match for his century and player of the tournament with 471 runs across five matches at an average of 157.
Background
The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, organised by the Asian Cricket Council, features under-19 teams from across Asia. Launched in 1989, it serves as a key development platform. India holds the most titles with eight, while Pakistan claimed their first solo win here. The 2025 edition included eight teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, and UAE.
Group stages saw Pakistan lose to India by 43 runs but recover with wins over UAE, Malaysia, and others to reach semifinals. There, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by eight wickets, with Minhas starring again. India remained undefeated until the final, topping their group and defeating Afghanistan in the semifinal.
This Pakistan vs India U19 final intensified the historic cricket rivalry. Matches between the two draw massive attention in South Asia, fostering young talent amid geopolitical tensions that limit senior bilateral series. The win boosts Pakistan’s youth programme, which has produced stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from similar events.
What’s Next after U19 Asia Cup Win
Pakistan’s U19 squad heads to Zimbabwe for a tri-series with Afghanistan and the hosts, starting Thursday, December 25, 2025. The series prepares for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, scheduled in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. This Pakistan U19 Asia Cup win provides momentum, with players like Minhas and Raza likely to feature prominently.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 22nd, 2025
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