'Well done, boys': Cricket fraternity reacts as Pakistan clinch U19 Asia Cup title

DUBAI: Several Pakistan cricketers, including star batter Babar Azam and legendary pacer Wasim Akram, applauded the U19 men's cricket team for clinching the Asia Cup 2025 title after a dominant victory over arch-rivals India in the final here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Put into bat first, the Green Shirts racked up a massive total of 347/8 on the board, courtesy of Sameer Minhas's monumental knock.

The right-handed opener top-scored with a blistering 172 off just 113 deliveries, studded with 17 fours and nine sixes, while Ahmed Hussain and Usman Khan chipped in with 56 and 35, respectively.

Chasing a daunting 348-run target, India's strong batting unit was dismantled by Pakistan pacers and was booked for a meagre 156 in 26.2 overs.

No.10 batter Deepesh Devendran remained their top-scorer with a 16-ball 36, followed by Suryavanshi with 26.

Ali Raza was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 42 runs in his 6.2 overs, while Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan chipped in with two each.

The title-clinching victory prompted the cricket fraternity to shower praise on the emerging cricketers as well as on their mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed, who captained Pakistan to the ICC Men's U19 Asia Cup and ICC Men's Champions Trophy glories in 2006 and 2017, respectively.

Former Pakistan captain Babar, who is currently in Australia to represent Sydney Sixers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15, applauded the players for lifting the trophy after a stellar campaign and especially acknowledged Sarfaraz's contributions.

"Well done, boys! Lifting the trophy after a stellar campaign and dominating the final," Babar wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Big credit to Saifi Bhai, whose experience shaped this triumph. Keep the hunger going."

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood praised the emerging cricketers for displaying "fearlessness, maturity, belief and teamwork".

"A special win for Pakistan today. The boys displayed fearlessness, maturity, belief and teamwork in a big game. Proud of the way they represented Pakistan in this U19 Asia Cup," Masood wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"And a special mention to [Sarfaraz Ahmed] and his coaching staff."

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram also shared the words of acknowledgement for the team on social media, stating, "future stars shining bright".

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar specifically heaped praise on Minhas, who played a pivotal role in the national team's success, finishing as the Player of the Tournament, while also bagging the Player of the Match award in the final.

Besides them, several other national cricketers, including Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Sajid Khan, Abid Ali and Yasir Arafat shared their thoughts on the remarkable achievement of the U19 men's cricket team.