PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi celebrates as Pakistan clinch U19 Asia Cup title after 13 years by dominant win over India

India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup 2025: Mohsin Naqvi, who is the PCB Chief and ACC chairman, joined Pakistan fans in celebrating the team's triumph.

India struggled against the big-hitting Sameer Minhas and the pace of Pakistan’s bowlers, suffering a heavy 191-run defeat in a one-sided 50-over Under-19 Asia Cup final on Sunday.

Mohsin Naqvi, who is the PCB Chief and ACC chairman, joined Pakistan fans in celebrating the team’s triumph. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior is expected to present the U19 Asia Cup trophy to the victorious side.

Pakistan claimed their second U19 Asia Cup title, with no formal exchanges between the two teams, as has become customary. After posting a huge 347 for 8, powered by Minhas’ 172 off 113 balls, Pakistan left India needing a heroic effort to chase down the target and secure a record ninth title.

However, Pakistan’s pace trio, Ali Raza (4/42), Mohammad Sayyam (2/38), and Abdul Subhan (2/29)—kept the Indian batsmen under pressure with disciplined lengths, as India collapsed for 156 in just 26.2 overs.

India’s chase began brightly despite the early loss of captain Ayush Mhatre. Vaibhav Suryavanshi attacked Raza, hitting two sixes and a four to take 21 runs in the opening over. Aaron George also started well, dispatching three consecutive fours off Sayyam in the fourth over as India scored at a brisk pace.

The momentum shifted dramatically on the last ball of the fourth over when George was forced to pull and only managed a skyed shot to Mohammad Shayan, who took the catch. On the first ball of the fifth over, Suryavanshi fell attempting a powerful shot off Raza; the delivery bounced sharply, took the edge, and was safely caught by stumper Zahoor Hamza. Pakistan celebrated wildly as a few words were exchanged, leaving Suryavanshi disappointed.

India slumped from 49 for 1 to 49 for 3 in just two balls, and the slide continued. Vedant Trivedi and Kanishk Chouhan also fell to the pace attack, as the flat ICC Academy track seemed to aid the bowlers’ aggression.

Abhigyan Kundu, India’s last hope, survived a drop on 12 off Subhan, hinting at a possible revival, but two balls later he played an upper cut that was well taken by Niqab Shafiq at third man, ending any chance of a comeback.

Earlier, Pakistan’s innings had been dominated by Minhas, who went after every bowler, particularly the new-ball pair Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran. He brought up his century off 71 balls with a four in the 29th over and ended with 172, his second hundred of the tournament after an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia in the opening match.

Minhas’ six in the 28th over, lofted over deep mid-wicket off a Mhatre delivery, highlighted his class. The 19-year-old looked set for a double century but was finally deceived by a slower ball from Devendran and caught at mid-on.

Pakistan’s innings also saw early contributions from Hamza Zahoor (18) before he gave an easy catch at mid-off. Usman Khan (35) joined Minhas, adding 92 runs for the second wicket. Left-hander Ahmed Hussain contributed 56 runs before falling to left-arm spinner Khilan Patel (2/44), who induced a false sweep for a catch at mid-wicket. Hussain and Minhas’ 137-run partnership laid the foundation for Pakistan’s massive total.