WATCH: Pakistan team receives heroic welcome after ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 triumph

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Under-19 team received a rousing and heroic welcome upon their arrival in the country after clinching the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025, following a comprehensive victory over arch-rivals India in the final at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

In a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) across its social media platforms, the players and coaching staff were warmly received with bouquets. 

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed was seen leading the reception as he congratulated the young champions on their historic achievement.

Cricket fans also gathered to greet the team, showering rose petals and interacting with the players as Pakistan celebrated their maiden ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan produced a dominant all-round display in the final, bowling India out for 156 in 26.2 overs while defending a massive 348-run target to register a thumping 191-run victory.

India began their chase with some intent as batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi stitched a quick 32-run opening stand with captain Ayush Mhatre. 

However, Mhatre managed just two runs before falling to Ali Raza in the fourth over. An over later, Mohammad Sayyam removed Aaron George (16), who had struck a match-winning half-century against Pakistan in the group-stage encounter.

Ali Raza tightened Pakistan’s grip on the match by dismissing Suryavanshi on the first delivery of the next over, reducing India to 49/3. 

The left-handed opener was India’s standout batter at the top, scoring a rapid 26 off 10 balls, including one four and three sixes.

His dismissal proved decisive as Pakistan’s bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals, eventually bundling India out for a modest total despite a late flourish from Deepesh Devendran. 

Batting at No.10, Devendran top-scored for India with a brisk 36 off 16 deliveries, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Ali Raza was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, finishing with figures of 4/42 in 6.2 overs. He was well supported by Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan, who claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, India captain Ayush Mhatre’s decision to field first backfired as Pakistan posted a formidable 347/8 in their allotted 50 overs, courtesy of a record-breaking innings by Sameer Minhas.

Pakistan made a steady start through openers Minhas and Hamza Zahoor, who added 31 runs before Zahoor (18) was dismissed by Henil Patel in the fourth over. 

Usman Khan then joined Minhas, and the pair built a commanding 92-run partnership for the second wicket off just 79 balls.

The stand ended in the 17th over when Khilan Patel dismissed Usman Khan, who contributed a valuable 35 off 45 deliveries, including three fours and a six. 

Minhas then featured in a crucial 137-run partnership for the third wicket with Ahmed Hussain, who scored 56 off 73 balls, hitting three fours and a six.

The prolific right-hander later added 42 runs with captain Farhan Yousaf before being dismissed by Deepesh Devendran on the penultimate delivery of the 43rd over. 

Minhas remained Pakistan’s top-scorer with a sensational 172 off 113 balls, studded with 17 fours and nine sixes.

His dismissal triggered a brief collapse as Pakistan lost four wickets in quick succession, including that of captain Yousaf (19), slipping to 327/8 in 46.4 overs. 

However, Mohammad Sayyam and Niqab Shafiq steadied the innings with unbeaten cameos of 13 and 12, respectively, to push the total to a commanding 347/8.

For India, Deepesh Devendran was the most successful bowler with three wickets, though he conceded 83 runs in his 10 overs. Henil Patel and Khilan Patel claimed two wickets apiece, while Kanishk Chouhan picked up one.