Pakistan's Under-19 cricket team emerged victorious in the 2025 Asia Cup final, overpowering arch-rivals India to lift the coveted trophy for the second time in the tournament's history. The match, which concluded on December 21, 2025, was defined by a commanding batting performance and a relentless pace attack from the Pakistani side.
Minhas' Masterclass Sets Up Formidable Total
The cornerstone of Pakistan's victory was a magnificent big hundred from their batter, Minhas. His commanding innings provided the backbone of the team's total, putting the Indian bowlers under immense pressure from the outset. Minhas displayed a mix of patience and aggression, finding boundaries at crucial junctures and ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over at a healthy rate. His century proved to be the decisive factor, shifting the momentum firmly in Pakistan's favour during the first innings.
Pacers Dominate as India Falter in Chase
Chasing a challenging target set by Pakistan, the Indian batting lineup faced a stern examination from a disciplined and fiery Pakistani pace attack. The young Indian batters struggled to build partnerships against the consistent line and length, coupled with sharp pace and movement. Wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing any significant fightback. The Pakistani pacers, exploiting the conditions perfectly, bundled out the Indian team to complete a comprehensive victory.
A Victory Without Formal Greetings
In a reflection of the current norms in contests between the two nations, the post-match proceedings were notably devoid of the traditional formal handshakes and greetings between the players. The teams concluded the high-stakes final and went their separate ways, with the Pakistani squad celebrating their hard-fought triumph. This victory marks Pakistan's second U19 Asia Cup title, reaffirming their strength at the youth level in Asian cricket.
The result underscores the intense rivalry and the high quality of cricket at the junior level between India and Pakistan. While Pakistan celebrates a well-deserved win built on a stellar individual performance and collective bowling effort, the Indian team will look to regroup and learn from this experience in future tournaments.
