Tag: ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025

LAHORE: The Pakistan Under-19 team was accorded a hero’s welcome on its return home after lifting the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025, capped by a dominant victory over arch-rivals India in the final on Sunday.

In a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on its official social media platforms, players and members of the coaching staff were seen being received with bouquets amid applause and celebrations.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed led the reception, personally congratulating the youngsters on a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s age-group cricket.

Fans also turned up to greet the champions, showering rose petals and interacting with the players as the squad celebrated Pakistan’s maiden ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title.

Pakistan’s triumph was built on a commanding all-round performance in the final, where they successfully defended a mammoth total of 348 by bowling India out for just 156 in 26.2 overs to seal a resounding 191-run win.

Ali Raza led the bowling attack with figures of 4 for 42 in 6.2 overs, while Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam and Huzaifa Ahsan provided excellent support, claiming two wickets each.

Earlier, the Pakistan U19 team laid the foundation for their emphatic win with a formidable batting display after India opted to field first.

Opener Sameer Minhas took control of the innings, adding 92 runs for the second wicket with Usman Khan, who scored a composed 35 off 45 balls.

The right-hander then went on to stitch a match-defining 137-run partnership for the third wicket with Ahmed Hussain, who contributed a well-paced 56.

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Minhas later combined with captain Farhan Yousaf for another crucial stand before being dismissed on the penultimate ball of the 43rd over.

He finished with a magnificent 172 off 113 balls, an innings decorated with 17 fours and nine sixes, setting a new benchmark in the tournament final.

Later, unbeaten cameos from Mohammad Sayyam (13) and Niqab Shafiq (12) ensured the total rose to an imposing 347 for eight.

For India, Deepesh Devendran picked up three wickets despite conceding 83 runs, while Henil Patel and Khilan Patel took two apiece.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed a key role as manager and mentor of the Pakistan U19 team for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025, scheduled in Dubai from 12 to 21 December.

The announcement came alongside the release of Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the 50-over tournament, with last year’s participant Farhan Yousaf named captain.

Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Qualifier 1, and Qualifier 3, while Group B features Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Qualifier 2, and Sri Lanka.

The tournament will act as vital preparation for the ICC U19 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

Pakistan will begin their campaign on 12 December against Qualifier 3 at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

The high-profile clash against India will follow on 14 December at the ICC Academy Ground, with their final group match against Qualifier 1 scheduled for 16 December.

The semi-finals are set for 19 December, with the final to be held on 21 December.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed brings extensive experience to the role, having enjoyed a prolific international career.

In 54 Tests, he scored 3,031 runs, including four centuries and 21 fifties. He also amassed 2,315 runs in 117 ODIs, with two centuries and 11 fifties, and contributed 818 runs in 61 T20Is, including three fifties.

As captain, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, defeating India by 180 runs in the final.

He maintained a 70% win rate in Tests as captain, achieved a 62.5% win rate in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, and recorded a 78.37% win rate in T20Is.

The 38-year-old last represented Pakistan in red-ball cricket during a Test against Australia in Perth in 2023.

Pakistan’s support staff for the U19 Asia Cup includes Shahid Anwar as head coach and batting coach, Rao Iftikhar as bowling coach, Mansoor Amjad as fielding coach, Abrar Ahmed as trainer, Ubaidullah as physiotherapist, and Ali Hamza as analyst.

Pakistan U19 Squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq and Sameer Minhas

Non-travelling reserve players: Abdul Qadir, Hasnain Dar, Mohammad Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar and Umar Zaib

Support staff: Sarfaraz Ahmed (manager/mentor), Shahid Anwar (head coach/batting coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Abrar Ahmed (trainer), Ubaidullah (physio), Ali Hamza (analyst)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, with Farhan Yousaf entrusted with the captaincy for the tournament set to be staged in Dubai from December 12 to 21.

The eight-team, 50-over competition will see Pakistan placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 3, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Qualifier 2.

The event holds added significance as it will serve as a build-up to the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia early next year.

Pakistan will open their campaign on December 12 against Qualifier 3 at The Sevens Stadium before locking horns with India in a blockbuster group match on December 14 at the ICC Academy Ground.

Their final group fixture will be played on December 16 against Qualifier 1 at the same venue.

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The semi-finals are slated for December 19, while the final will be contested on December 21.

18-year-old Farhan, who also featured in last year’s edition, comes in on the back of an impressive domestic campaign where he led Lahore Region Whites in the National Men’s Under-19 Cup, amassing 369 runs in seven matches, including a century and two half-centuries.

Usman Khan has been appointed vice-captain after a prolific season with the bat, where he scored 429 runs for FATA, highlighted by two hundreds and a fifty.

The selected squad is set to assemble in Karachi for a preparatory camp before departing for Dubai later this month.

Pakistan were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Bangladesh in the previous edition and will now be aiming for a stronger run under Farhan’s leadership.

Pakistan U19 Squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq and Sameer Minhas

Non-travelling reserve players: Abdul Qadir, Hasnain Dar, Mohammad Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar and Umar Zaib

Support staff: Sarfaraz Ahmed (manager/mentor), Shahid Anwar (head coach/batting coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Abrar Ahmed (trainer), Ubaidullah (physio), Ali Hamza (analyst)

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