Pakistan demolished India by 191 runs at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Sunday to lift the U-19 Asia Cup 2025 title. Avenging their group-stage loss to the same opponents, the Farhan Yousaf-led side posted a daunting 347 for eight before bundling India out for 156 in 26.2 overs.
The architect of the victory was opener Sameer Minhas, who smashed a record-breaking 172 off 113 balls. His innings, studded with 17 fours and nine sixes, is now the highest individual score in a youth ODI final. Minhas brought up his century in just 71 balls and dominated the Indian attack, particularly targeting Deepesh Devendran, who conceded 83 runs. Minhas anchored key stands, adding 92 runs with Usman Khan and a match-defining 137 with Ahmed Hussain, who contributed a composed 56.
Chasing a target of 348, India began frenetically, racing to 32 runs within the first two overs. Vaibhav Suryavanshi looked dangerous, blasting 26 off 10 balls including two sixes, but the introduction of disciplined pace derailed the chase.
Pakistan’s pace trio of Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam, and Abdul Subhan utilized the surface effectively, reducing India from a fast start to a precarious 49 for three in the space of two deliveries. Captain Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George fell cheaply, leaving the middle order exposed early.
The Indian lineup failed to cope with the hard lengths bowled by the Pakistan pacers. Ali Raza was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 for 42, while Sayyam and Subhan kept the pressure mounting, with two wickets each.
India slumped to 120 for nine before Deepesh Devendran tried standing his ground with a 16-ball 36, hitting six fours and two sixes. However, Raza ended the fight in the 27th over by dismissing Devendran, securing the comprehensive win.
Minhas was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his dominant run in the tournament. The match concluded without formal greetings between the two sides, a noted deviation from the norm. With this commanding performance, Pakistan has set a strong tone ahead of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup, while India is left to address their bowling struggles and top-order fragility.
