Dubai, December 21, 2025 — On the shortest day of the year, Pakistan Under-19s produced a performance so emphatic it will live long in youth-cricket folklore. In the final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground, Dubai, Pakistan Under-19 cricket team dismantled India Under-19 cricket team by a staggering 191 runs—a margin that reads like a manifesto.
Pakistan’s 347/8 was not merely competitive; it was commanding. What followed was ruthless execution with the ball, skittling India for 156 in 26.2 overs. This was not a win snatched on a good day—it was authority asserted under lights, pressure, and expectation.
The Scoreboard Symphony: Pakistan’s Onslaught
The innings began briskly and built into a crescendo. Hamza Zahoor (wk) lit the fuse with 18 off 14, but the night belonged to Sameer Minhas. At 17, he played a once-in-a-generation knock: 172 off 113 balls*, studded with 17 fours and 9 sixes, striking at 152.21. In a cruel irony for the opposition, Minhas alone outscored India’s entire innings by 16 runs.
Partnerships told the story of control:
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92 for the second wicket with Usman Khan (35 off 45)
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137 for the third with Ahmed Hussain (56 off 72)
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42 in a flash with captain Farhan Yousaf (19 off 18)
Late wickets did little to slow the tempo. Niqab Shafiq (12*) and Mohammad Sayyam (13*) ensured Pakistan closed with momentum intact. India’s bowlers fought, but the numbers were unforgiving—extras leaked, lengths missed, and the powerplay was owned: 79/0 in the first 10.
India’s Chase: A Nightmare Unfolds
Chasing 348 on a surface that rewarded intent, India’s decision to bowl first aged poorly. A brief blaze from Vaibhav Suryavanshi (26 off 10) teased resistance before the collapse began.
From 49/3 inside five overs, it was a procession. Pakistan’s attack pressed every seam and squeezed every inch. Ali Raza set the tone, and the supporting cast swarmed:
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Mohammad Sayyam 2/38
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Abdul Subhan 2/29
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Huzaifa Ahsan 2/12
Deepesh Devendran’s 36 off 16 delayed the inevitable, but the end was swift. India’s powerplay—68/3—offered no shelter. The innings folded at 156, and the gulf between preparation and performance stood exposed.
Match at a Glance
| Metric | Pakistan U19 | India U19 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 347/8 (50 ov) | 156/10 (26.2 ov) |
| Top Scorer | Sameer Minhas 172* | Deepesh Devendran 36 |
| Best Bowler | Ali Raza 4/42 | Deepesh Devendran 3/83 |
| Powerplay | 79/0 | 68/3 |
| Result | Pakistan won by 191 runs | — |
Abdul Subhan: The Quiet Force
Amid the fireworks, Abdul Subhan delivered a spell of rare maturity—2/29 from 8 overs, conceding at 3.60 while striking at key moments. Across the tournament, his efficiency marked him as Pakistan’s most effective wicket-taker per innings. On another day, with a longer leash, he might have climbed even higher in the charts. The takeaway is clearer than hindsight: this is a bowler built for big stages.
Beyond the Trophy
This final was more than silverware. It was a rebuttal to hype and a reminder that substance survives spotlights. Pakistan’s youth system didn’t just compete—it dominated, from selection to skills to temperament. For India, the night invites honest reflection. For Pakistan, it signals a pipeline that knows how to peak when it matters.
On the shortest Sunday of the year, one team found daylight early. The other entered a long night of questions.