By Asif Naveed
Sports Desk (MNN): Pakistan delivered a breathtaking all-round performance to overpower arch-rivals India by a commanding 191 runs in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday, lifting the trophy in emphatic style.
Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan piled up a mammoth 347 for 8, powered by a sensational knock from opener Sameer Minhas. Sameer smashed a record-breaking 172, the highest individual score ever recorded in a U-19 Asia Cup final, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance.
India’s highly rated batting unit failed to cope with Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and was bundled out for just 156 in 26.2 overs. Fast bowler Ali Raza spearheaded the attack with impressive figures of 4 for 42.
The triumph was particularly sweet for Pakistan, who had been comprehensively beaten by India in the group stage and entered the final as underdogs against an unbeaten Indian side. However, Pakistan turned the tables with a clinical display in all departments.
Indian captain Ayush Mhatre opted to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping early assistance for seamers would limit Pakistan. Instead, Sameer launched a fierce counterattack. After Hamza Zahoor departed for 18, Sameer stitched together key partnerships with Usman Khan (35) and Ahmed Hussain (56), adding 92 runs for the second wicket and 137 for the third.
Sameer reached his hundred in just 71 balls and went on to score 172 off 113 deliveries, striking 17 fours and nine sixes, before being dismissed in the 43rd over. A late collapse, with five wickets falling for 45 runs, denied Pakistan a 400-plus total, but their score still stood as the highest ever in a U-19 Asia Cup final.
For India, Khilan Patel picked up 2 for 44, while Deepesh Devendran returned figures of 3 for 83.
Chasing 348, India began aggressively, racing to 21 in the opening over as Vaibhav Suryavanshi attacked Ali Raza. Suryavanshi continued his assault, hammering 26 off just 10 balls, but the momentum quickly shifted once Pakistan tightened the screws.
Captain Mhatre fell for 2, Aaron George scored a brisk 16 off 9, and Suryavanshi edged behind as India slumped to 49 for 3 inside five overs. The collapse gathered pace as Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu, Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel departed in quick succession.
Deepesh Devendran provided some late fireworks with a rapid 36 off 16 balls, but his dismissal ended India’s resistance. Abdul Subhan claimed 2 for 29, Huzaifa Ahsan took 2 for 12, and Mohammad Sayyam supported well with 2 for 38.
India’s innings ended in just 26.2 overs, highlighting Pakistan’s bowling superiority and sharp fielding. The 191-run margin marked the biggest win in a U-19 Asia Cup final.
Man of the Match Sameer Minhas was lifted on his teammates’ shoulders amid jubilant celebrations, while India were left to reflect on a final where everything went wrong.
