Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif To Host Reception For U19 Asia Cup Winners

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will host a reception for the Under-19 team that defeated India in the Asia Cup finals in Dubai, marking a rare cricketing victory over their arch-rivals. The team received a warm welcome at Islamabad airport, a reception typically reserved for senior teams.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has lauded the victory as a significant achievement for cricket in Pakistan. Junior cricket often goes unnoticed in the country, but the Under-19 team’s triumph over India prompted a celebratory reception at the airport.

Sameer Minhas, who scored 172 in the final on Sunday, and fast bowler Ali Reza, who took four wickets, are being celebrated as promising talents for Pakistan cricket.

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Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council and serves as the Federal Minister for Interior Affairs, has been involved in a major dispute with India since the senior Asia Cup. The Indian team refused to accept the winners’ trophy from him on September 28 in Dubai. The trophy remains in the ACC offices in Dubai, with the issue unresolved, as Naqvi insists that the Indians must accept the trophy from him in a media-covered event.

It has been reported that Naqvi has announced cash prizes of PKR five million each for the junior team players, an unprecedented gesture in Pakistan cricket.

How Pakistan Beat India?

India faced a significant 191-run defeat against Pakistan in a one-sided 50-over Under-19 Asia Cup final on Sunday, struggling against the powerful batting of Sameer Minhas and the extra pace of the Pakistani bowlers.

Pakistan secured their second U19 Asia Cup title, and following recent norms, there were no formal greetings between the players of the two teams.

After Pakistan set a formidable total of 347 for eight, thanks to Minhas’ impressive 172 runs off 113 balls, which included 17 fours and 9 sixes, India needed an exceptional chase to claim their ninth title in the tournament.

However, the tall Pakistani pace trio — Ali Reza (4/42), Mohammad Sayyam (2/38), and Abdul Subhan (2/29) — consistently bowled hard lengths, causing India’s top-order to collapse. Consequently, India was bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs.

(With inputs from Agencies)