Pakistan outplayed India in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup. After having a successful run throughout the tournament, the Indian U-19 team fell short on the final day against their rivals, Pakistan. Chasing a target of 348 runs, India was all out for just 156 runs in 26.2 overs.
A blistering knock of 172 by Sameer Minhas and gun bowling by Ali Raza helped Pakistan to get an easy win in the finals. Indian batters, who outplayed every other team with their bat, failed to show their calm and composure in this match. From Vaibhav to Ayush Mahtre, to Aaron George, no one really stood up on the final day.
In the semi-finals, both teams played the matches with reduced overs. Pakistan outplayed Bangladesh in the semis. Meanwhile, India booked their place in the final by beating Sri Lanka in a rain-affected semi-final that was reduced to 20 overs. In tricky conditions, Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George showed calm and maturity with the bat, steering India to a well-earned win and setting up yet another high-voltage India–Pakistan final.
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Pakistan’s high-class performance
Pakistan U-19 showed pure dominance with the bat by putting 347 runs for 8 in 50 overs on board. The innings was highlighted by a brilliant effort by Sameer Minhas, who hit 172 off 113 balls, including 17 fours and 9 sixes, to absolutely dominate the Indian bowling attack. His innings set the tone and helped Pakistan maintain control throughout.
Ahmed Hussain provided solid support for Minhas, scoring 56 off 72 balls, while Usman Khan scored 35 to help stabilise the middle order. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan's excellent and aggressive partnership of 137 runs by Minhas and Ahmed Hussain set the tone of the match.
Deepesh Devendran remained the most successful bowler, picking up 3 wickets and conceding 83 runs in 10 overs. Henil Patel and Khilan Patel offered some control in patches, claiming 2 wickets each, with Khilan being the most economical among the main bowlers, conceding 44 runs in his 10 overs. Other than that, Kanishk Chouhan chipped in with a wicket but went for 72 runs. Ayush Mahatre also rolled his arm for five overs but remained unable to get a wicket.
The Indian team falters in batting
Having pressure on the board, Indian batters always felt out of the line; they did not really come up with a batter alternative, and all of the Indian players knelt to the Pakistan bowlers. The top order collapsed early, with captain Ayush Mhatre departing for just 2 and key batters failing to convert starts. Vaibhav Suryavanshi provided brief fireworks with a quick 26 off 10 balls, while Aaron George also struck fluently for 16 off 9.
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The middle order struggled to build partnerships, as wickets fell at regular intervals. The lone resistance came from the lower order, where Deepesh Devendran played a counter-attacking knock of 36 off 16 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Pakistan U-19 produced a clinical bowling effort, skittling India out for 156 in 26.2 overs. Ali Raza led the charge with 4 wickets, while Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam, and Huzaifa Ahsan provided strong support to wrap up a dominant win.
