Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is expected to host a reception for the Asia Cup-winning under-19 team. The team defeated the Indian U-19 team in the final of the tournament in Dubai on Sunday.
This victory constitutes a major milestone in the history of cricket in Pakistan. The team was welcomed back at the Islamabad airport, which is usually done for senior teams. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi termed the victory a major achievement for cricket in the country.
Naqvi pays tribute to U-19 players
Junior cricket usually goes under the radar in Pakistan, but the under-19 team’s victory against India was a game-changer. The players received a warm and festive welcome at the airport.
Sameer Minhas and pacer Ali Raza are receiving praise and being called new talents for Pakistani cricket. Minhas scored 172 runs in the final, while Raza picked up four wickets.
Additionally, as per reports, Naqvi announced a cash reward of PKR 5 million for each U-19 player. This is a rare move for Pakistan cricket.
Minhas led Pakistan’s innings
Coming to the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first. Opener Hamza Zahoor fell cheap for 18, but Sameer Minhas anchored the innings from the start. He smashed 172 off 113 balls, hitting 17 boundaries and 9 sixes at 152.21.
Minhas eventually fell to Deepesh Devendran. Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain chipped in with scores of 35 and 56, while the lower order failed to deliver.
Devendran was the most notable Indian bowler with 3 wickets, while Khilan Patel and Henil Patel took two each.
India’s batting collapse
In response, Vaibhav Suryavanshi started the innings with a quick 26 off 10 balls, hitting 3 sixes and a boundary. However, from there, everything went downhill. The Indian batting line-up collapsed, succumbing to pressure from the Pakistani bowlers.
Ali Raza picked up 4 wickets, while Mohammad Sayyam Abdul Subhan and Huzaifa Ahsan took 2 each. They restricted India to 156 and won the match with a huge difference of 191 runs.
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