Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas has emerged as the star of the ACC Men’s Under-19 (U19) Asia Cup, following a record-breaking innings in the final against India that cemented his reputation as one of the nation’s brightest young batting talents.
The right-handed batsman scored a remarkable 172 off 113 balls at the ICC Academy, the highest individual score in a Youth Asia Cup final, guiding Pakistan to a commanding 191-run victory and securing their second U19 Asia Cup title. His dominant performance turned the final into a one-sided contest and capped a tournament in which he consistently excelled.
Cricket runs deep in the Minhas family. Sameer’s father, Kashif Minhas, also played at the U19 level and nurtured the talents of his sons, Sameer and elder brother Arafat Minhas, who has already featured in four T20Is for Pakistan between 2023 and 2024. The family moved to Lahore to provide better coaching and facilities, aiming to help both brothers reach senior international cricket.
Sameer’s final performance was preceded by an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia in the group stage, signaling his exceptional form. Throughout the tournament, he scored 9, 4, and an unbeaten 69 before delivering his defining innings in the final.
Speaking after the match, Sameer said he felt no extra pressure despite the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash, focusing solely on playing his natural game. His innings featured aggressive strokeplay against both pace and spin, repeatedly clearing boundaries and controlling the innings from the top.
By the end of the tournament, Sameer had earned both Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Series, finishing with 471 runs at an average of 157 and a strike rate of 117.45, making him the competition’s most prolific batter.
Next, Sameer Minhas is set to represent Pakistan at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, where selectors and fans will closely monitor the rise of the country’s next potential long-term opener.
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