The final match of the ACC Youth Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 is being played between India and Pakistan at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. In this blockbuster clash taking place today on 21st December, the Indian captain won the toss and chose to bowl first. Pakistan, batting first, gave India a strong target of 348 runs.
Pakistan’s innings had a bad start. In the fourth over itself, wicketkeeper batsman Hamza Nazir (18) was sent to the pavilion by Indian fast bowler Henil Patel. After this, captain Usman Khan and Sameer Minhas made an important partnership of 92 runs for the second wicket, which brought Pakistan back on track. But Indian spinner Khilan Patel made a comeback and ended the partnership by dismissing Usman (35).
Sameer Minhas’ explosive century
After Usman’s departure, Sameer Minhas made an explosive partnership of 137 runs with Ahmed Hussain for the third wicket. During this, Sameer completed his stormy century with the help of 12 fours and 4 sixes. This proved to be his second century in the tournament. Ahmed Hussain contributed 56 runs in 72 balls, hitting 2 fours and 1 six. Ultimately, it was Khilan Patel who gave the third blow to Pakistan by dismissing Ahmed. Pakistan’s strong innings has posed a big challenge to India. Indian bowlers will now have to show excellence in batting.
It is noteworthy that the Under-19 Asia Cup has been organized in the format of 50 overs. In this tournament, India was placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Malaysia and host United Arab Emirates (UAE). Whereas there were teams from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal. The top two teams from each group reached the semi-finals.
India made it to the semi-finals by winning all three group matches. In the first match, India defeated UAE by 234 runs. Then he defeated Pakistan by 90 runs and Malaysia by 315 runs. In the semi-finals, India defeated Sri Lanka by 8 wickets. In the second semi-final, Pakistan defeated defending champion Bangladesh by 8 wickets.
India’s playing 11 in the final
Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Kanishk Chauhan, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh.
Pakistan’s playing 11 in the final
Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousuf (captain), Hamza Zahoor (wicketkeeper), Huzaifa Ahsan, Naqab Shafiq, Mohammad Shayan, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Syam.
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