At the heart of Pakistan’s innings stood opener Sameer Minhas, who played a knock to remember. He scored a brilliant 172 runs off 113 balls, mixing patience with power and keeping the scoreboard ticking at a healthy pace. His innings was marked by clean timing, smart shot selection, and an unshakable presence at the crease.
Support came at the right moments. Ahmed Hussain chipped in with a steady 56, while Usman Khan added a useful 35, helping Pakistan build momentum and maintain pressure on the Indian bowlers. The Pakistani batters looked in control for most of the innings, rarely letting India settle into a rhythm.
India had won the toss and chose to field first, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, Pakistan’s batting unit came out with positive intent from the very first over. Sameer Minhas, who brought up his century in just 71 balls, completed his second hundred of the tournament, once again underlining his class on the big stage.
Speaking after the toss, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said the team was fully prepared and eager to give its best in the final. He added that the squad’s morale was high and the players were determined to push hard for the title.
Pakistan’s journey to the final has been impressive. In the semi-final, the Green Shirts defeated defending champions Bangladesh by eight wickets, while India booked their spot by overcoming Sri Lanka in the other semi-final.
Cricket fans have already started calling Sameer Minhas’s innings one of the standout performances of the tournament. His fearless approach and solid technique have significantly boosted Pakistan’s chances of lifting the trophy.
Pakistan’s Under-19 side has a proud history, having won the ICC Under-19 World Cup twice. However, the Under-19 Asia Cup title has so far remained out of reach. Pakistan last shared the trophy with India in 2012, and this final presents another golden opportunity to finally claim it outright.
With a steep target on the board and confidence running high, Pakistan have put themselves in a strong position. All eyes are now on India’s chase, as the final promises high drama and a true test of nerves.
