Pakistan rout India to clinch U-19 Asia Cup title
PM congratulates cricket team
DUBAI/ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to thrash arch-rivals India by a massive 191 runs in the final of the U-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Academy Ground on Sunday, claiming the prestigious title in emphatic fashion.
Opener Sameer Minhas lit up the first half of the match with a record-breaking 172 — the highest individual score in a U-19 Asia Cup final — propelling Pakistan to a formidable 347 for 8 after being asked to bat first.
In reply, India’s much-vaunted batting line-up crumbled spectacularly, folding for a paltry 156 in just 26.2 overs as pacer Ali Raza ripped through the order with figures of 4 for 42.
The victory marked a sweet redemption for Pakistan, who had suffered a heavy defeat to the same opponents in the group stage and had entered the final as underdogs against an unbeaten Indian side.
Instead, it was Pakistan who delivered a clinical display, overwhelming India in every department to lift the trophy amid jubilant celebrations.
India captain Ayush Mhatre won the toss and elected to bowl, perhaps hoping to restrict Pakistan on a surface expected to assist the seamers early on.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Sunday congratulated Pakistan cricket team and the entire nation on winning the Under-19 Asia Cup.
In a statement, he said Pakistani players performed excellently.
“Pakistani players created history by defeating India in the final,” he said adding, “The entire nation is proud of these young players.”
The Prime Minister said, “The Under-19 team will undoubtedly make the country’s name shine on the world stage in the future as well.” “I pay tribute to the entire team management, including Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi,” he added. Monitoring Desk
