Pakistan clinched the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup title after overpowering arch-rivals India by 191 runs in the final in Dubai on Sunday, with a dominant bowling performance bundling the opposition out for 156 while chasing a challenging 348-run target.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that backfired as Pakistan’s batters displayed aggressive and confident cricket throughout their innings.
Pakistan got off to a flying start, reaching 347 for eight in their allotted overs and putting the Indian bowlers under relentless pressure from ball one.
Opener Sameer Minhas led the charge for Pakistan and smashed his second consecutive century of the tournament. His 172 runs off 113 balls included nine towering sixes and 17 fours.
Ahmad Hussain contributed with 56, while Usman Khan chipped in with 35.
Captain Farhan Yousaf added 19 runs, helping Pakistan set a challenging total that would prove too much for India to chase.
For India, Devendra Patel took three wickets while Khilan Patel claimed two, and Kanishk Chauhan claimed one.
Chasing 348, India’s batting line-up struggled against Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Indian wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving India unable to build partnerships.
Opener Ayush Mhatre fell for just two runs at 31, followed by Aaron George at 49, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi at 26.
Before the match, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said the team was fully prepared to win the title.
“Our morale was high, and we were determined to perform our best in the final,” he added.
Pakistan had reached the final by defeating defending champions Bangladesh by eight wickets in the semi-final, while India beat Sri Lanka to secure their place.
This historic victory marks Pakistan’s first outright Under-19 Asia Cup title.
Previously, in 2012, Pakistan had shared the trophy with India. Pakistan has also won the ICC Under-19 World Cup twice.
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