Dubai, December 21, 2025: Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance to rout arch-rivals India by a massive 191 runs in the final of the ICC U-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday, lifting the prestigious title in emphatic fashion.
Put in to bat, Pakistan piled up a record 347 for 8, powered by a breathtaking 172 from opener Sameer Minhas, the highest individual score in the history of a U-19 Asia Cup final. Sameer’s knock, studded with 17 fours and nine sixes, came off just 113 balls and laid the foundation for a daunting total. After an early setback with Hamza Zahoor departing for 18, Sameer stitched vital partnerships of 92 with Usman Khan (35) and 137 with Ahmed Hussain (56) to seize complete control. Although a late burst of wickets saw Pakistan lose five for 45 in the closing overs, the total remained the highest ever in a U-19 Asia Cup final. For India, Deepesh Devendran returned figures of 3 for 83, while Khilan Patel picked up 2 for 44.
In reply, India’s much-vaunted batting line-up crumbled under relentless pressure, folding for just 156 in 26.2 overs. Pacer Ali Raza spearheaded the collapse with superb figures of 4 for 42, supported ably by Abdul Subhan (2 for 29), Huzaifa Ahsan (2 for 12) and Mohammad Sayyam (2 for 38). India had made a brisk start, racing to 49 for 3 inside five overs, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi blasting 26 off 10 balls. However, once wickets began to fall, the innings unravelled rapidly, with only brief resistance from Khilan Patel (19) and a late cameo of 36 off 16 balls by Devendran.
The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for Pakistan, who had suffered a heavy defeat to India in the group stage and entered the final as underdogs against an unbeaten side. Instead, Pakistan dominated every department to register the largest margin of victory in a U-19 Asia Cup final. Man of the Match Sameer Minhas was carried on his team-mates’ shoulders as Pakistan celebrated a memorable triumph, while India were left to rue a final in which little went their way.
