Just a few days ago, when it felt almost certain that the semi-finals of the Asia Cup U-19 would be called off, no one really thought that just like elders, India would have to face Pakistan in the mega final. Previously in the group stage, India outplayed Pakistan, and just like in the other meet-ups on the field, India refused to shake hands with Pakistani players.
Cut to Sunday, December 21, Pakistan’s Sameer Minhas took the responsibility and destroyed Indian bowling with a magnificent 172 runs in just 113 balls with a strike rate of 150+. Displaying a masterclass at the mega event at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
Pakistan reached the semi-finals by knocking out Bangladesh with an 8-wicket victory. Minhas hammered 69 runs in that match. Sunday’s 172 is his second-best in this tournament; his best 177 came in Pakistan’s first match of the tournament against Malaysia.
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India's U-19 team reached the finals of the Asia Cup after defeating the Sri Lanka U-19 team in the semi-finals. The match was reduced to twenty overs due to a wet outfield. Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George powered the Indian batting line-up to win against Sri Lanka.
Who is Sameer Minhas?
Sameer Minhas, 19, comes from Multan and is regarded as a talented all-rounder in Pakistan's home circuit. Sameer, a right-handed top-order batsman by trade, also provides part-time leg-spin, offering tactical balance to any XI he plays for. His poise at the bat and ability to rotate strike in high-pressure circumstances have already piqued the interest of age-group selectors and experts monitoring developing talent in the country.
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Sameer's cricketing path is even more significant because he is the younger brother of Arafat Minhas, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner who has already made it onto the senior Pakistan men's cricket team.
Sameer has smashed a total of 471 runs in just 5 matches in this U-19 Asia Cup. He has made only one digit score throughout the tournament, which came against India in the group match. The young prodigy of Pakistan smashed 177 runs against Malaysia, 44 runs against the UAE, 69 runs against Bangladesh, and today he again smashed 172 runs. He is now leading the chart of the highest run scorer with an average of 157. 33. With this blistering knock, Pakistan reached 347 runs in 50 overs.
Team India is now struggling to cope with the earlier damage and is behind 266 runs with 4 wickets in hand and 33 overs left.
