Mammoth Sameer Minhas Ton Helps Pakistan Win U19 Asia Cup

A mammoth century from opener Sameer Minhas set up Pakistan's stunning win over India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. Minhas smashed 172 off just 113 balls, propelling Pakistan to 347/8. In reply, India were bowled out for 156.

Batting first, Pakistan raced to 79/1 after an early wicket, thanks to Minhas' rapid start. He reached his half-century in 29 balls and built a 137-run partnership with Ahmed Hussain. Minhas was the aggressor, bringing up his century in just 71 balls, while Hussain settled in to score a fifty. Pakistan were well-placed at 276/3 by the 40th over.

Minhas hit nine sixes in his assault and looked set for a double century before falling for 172. India pulled things back slightly at the death, restricting Pakistan to 71 runs in the final overs, but still faced a target of 348.

India's chase began explosively as Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit the first ball for six. He added a four and another six, taking India to 21 runs in the first over. After another six in the following over, India's hopes quickly faded. Ayush Mhatre fell to Ali Raza, who then dismissed Suryavanshi in his next over, reducing India to 49/3 by the fifth over.

Wickets continued to tumble, and India were 68/5 by the end of the powerplay. Deepesh Devendran delayed the inevitable with a small cameo before Ali Raza completed a four-wicket haul, securing the title for Pakistan.

Brief scores:
Pakistan U19 347/8 in 50 overs (Sameer Minhas 172, Ahmed Hussain 56; Deepesh Devendran 3/83)
India U19 156 in 26.2 overs (Deepesh Devendran 36; Ali Raza 4/42)
Pakistan won by 191 runs.