Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team celebrated a dominant win over India to lift the Asia Cup, with head coach Shahid Anwer praising the squad for playing “fearless but not careless cricket.” Opener Sameer Minhas stole the spotlight, smashing 172 to set up a commanding 191-run victory at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
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Shahid Anwer highlighted the rigorous selection and training process that began on June 17, involving trials for 70 players, a regional tournament, and a five-month long camp for the top 30 performers. The structured approach aimed to create a united team capable of playing confident cricket without taking undue risks.
Team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led Pakistan to the Under-19 World Cup in 2006, praised the collective effort. He noted that the coaches worked hard to instill confidence, allowing players to showcase their natural abilities, resulting in memorable performances.
Captain Farhan Yousaf echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the management’s support. Players were encouraged to play their natural game, with the assurance that losses would be the management’s responsibility, while victories would reflect the players’ efforts.
Shahid Anwer also commended the players’ qualities, noting that their resilience and adaptability were key strengths that only needed polishing. Sameer Minhas’ impressive century was a testament to sticking to his natural game and maintaining focus throughout the final.
Sarfaraz Ahmed addressed the political tensions that often accompany Pakistan-India matches. He ensured that players maintained sportsmanship, avoiding retaliatory gestures despite India’s unsporting behavior, including skipping customary handshakes and a ‘shoe-pointing’ act by an Indian batter.
The victory reflects Pakistan’s depth in youth cricket and underscores the value of disciplined preparation, confidence-building, and sportsmanship, setting the stage for continued success in international age-group tournaments.
