Pakistan Clinch U-19 Asia Cup Title with Crushing 191-Run Victory Over India
Samir Minhas’ stunning 172 powers Pakistan to second U-19 Asia Cup triumph; India suffer second-biggest final defeat in tournament history
DUBAI, December 21, 2025 — Pakistan captured their second U-19 Asia Cup title with a commanding 191-run victory over India in Sunday’s final at the ICC Academy in Dubai. The comprehensive win was built on a spectacular century by Samir Minhas, who demolished the Indian bowling attack with a blistering 172 off 113 balls.
Pakistan Post Mammoth Total
After Indian captain Ayush Mhatre won the toss and elected to field first, Pakistan’s batting lineup produced a formidable display, posting 347 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Minhas’ magnificent knock, which included powerful strokeplay and intelligent batting to set up an imposing target.
Ahmad Hussain provided valuable support with a 56-run contribution, helping Pakistan build partnerships and maintain momentum throughout their innings. The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the Pakistani batsmen on a good batting surface.
Deepesh Devadren was the pick of Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Khilan Patel and Henil Patel claimed two wickets each. Kanishk Chauhan picked up one wicket, but the damage had already been done as Pakistan crossed the 340-run mark.
India’s Batting Collapse
Chasing a daunting 348, India’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 159 runs in 26.2 overs. Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi could manage only 26 runs before departing, failing to provide the explosive start India desperately needed.
Deepesh Devadren top-scored for India with 36 runs, but it proved insufficient as wickets fell at regular intervals. The Indian middle order failed to build any substantial partnerships, unable to cope with Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Pakistan’s Ali Raza was the star with the ball, claiming four crucial wickets to dismantle the Indian batting order. Mohammad Saiyyam, Huzaifa Ahsan, and Abdul Subhan each contributed with two wickets apiece, ensuring Pakistan’s comprehensive victory.
Historic Defeat for India
The 191-run margin represents India’s second-biggest defeat in a U-19 Asia Cup final. The tournament’s largest victory margin remains Bangladesh’s 195-run win over UAE in the 2023 final. The heavy loss will be particularly disappointing for the young Indian side, who had shown promise throughout the tournament.
Tournament Standout Performers
Samir Minhas emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, accumulating an impressive 471 runs in five matches at an outstanding average of 157.00. The Pakistani batting sensation remained unbeaten twice during the tournament, with his best score being an unbeaten 177 runs. His consistency was remarkable, featuring two centuries and one half-century.
For India, wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu was the top run-getter, scoring 276 runs in five matches. His best performance came with an unbeaten 209, showcasing his ability to play long innings under pressure.
On the bowling front, Deepesh Devadren finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in five matches. His best figures of 5 for 22 demonstrated his ability to pick up wickets in clusters. He bowled with impressive control, maintaining an average of 11.92 and an economy rate of 4.77.
Pakistan’s Abdul Subhan also impressed with the ball, claiming 13 wickets in just four matches. Mohammad Saiyyam contributed significantly with 10 wickets in five matches, providing Pakistan with multiple bowling options throughout the tournament.
Pakistan’s Second Title
This victory marks Pakistan’s second U-19 Asia Cup triumph, cementing their status as a powerhouse in youth cricket in the region. The comprehensive nature of the win, combined with outstanding individual performances throughout the tournament, suggests a bright future for Pakistani cricket.
The young Pakistani team displayed excellent all-round skills, with both batting and bowling departments firing in unison. Their ability to handle pressure situations and deliver in the final showcased the quality of talent emerging from Pakistan’s cricket system.
For India, despite the disappointing final result, the tournament provided valuable experience for the young cricketers. The team will need to regroup and analyze what went wrong in the title clash as they prepare for future age-group tournaments.
The U-19 Asia Cup continues to serve as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young talent across the Asian cricket fraternity, with many past participants going on to represent their senior national teams successfully.
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