Tag: india

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas broke multiple records with a masterclass innings in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup final against India here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

The right-handed batter scored a monumental 172 from just 114, laced with 17 fours and nine maximums, which helped Pakistan beat India by a hefty 191 runs margin.

With the help of his knock, Pakistan posted a daunting 347-8 in their allotted 50 overs, which was later backed by a clinical bowling effort, bundling out India for 156 runs.

With his 172, Sameer etched his name into the history books as he recorded the highest score in Youth ODIs for Pakistan, surpassing Shahzaib Khan’s 159, which also came against India in 2024.

Highest Individual Score for Pakistan in Youth ODIs

Sameer Minhas – 172 vs India U19, 2025

Shahzaib Khan – 159 vs India U19, 2024

Shamyl Hussain – 150 vs Sri Lanka U19, 2023

Abdul Razzaq – 142 vs Australia U19, 1997

Moreover, he also surpassed Sami Aslam’s long-standing record for amassing the most runs in the Asia Cup U19’s.

Most runs in U19 Asia Cup Single edition

Sameer Minhas (Pakistan) – 471 runs in five innings at 157
Sami Aslam (Pakistan) – 461 runs in five innings at 115.25
Sami Aslam (Pakistan) – 379 runs in five innings at 75.80
Ashiqur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 378 runs in five innings at 126
Unmukt Chand (India) – 370 runs in five innings at 74

Earlier, he also scored 178 against Malaysia U19 in the tournament; however, it was not listed as a record score because Malaysia’s Test status.

For his stellar performance in the final and throughout the tournament, he earned the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, respectively.

READ: Minhas, Raza star as Pakistan crush India to win U19 Asia Cup

DUBAI: Sameer Minhas’ marathon knock followed by Ali Raza’s splendid bowling display helped Pakistan thrash India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup U19 final here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Set a daunting 348, the Indian batting lineup faltered under pressure and were skittled for only 156 in 26.3 overs.

Indian opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi came out all guns blazing and hit a quick-fire 26 from 10 deliveries. As a result, India were 32 in 2.2 overs.

However, skipper Ayush Mhatre was sent back for two, and soon after, the Men in Blue batting lineup collapsed.

Pacers Ali Raza and Mohammad Sayyam combined to send back Aaron George (16) and dangerous Vaibhav Suryavanshi in back-to-back balls, which put India in dire straits at 49-3 in 4.1 overs.

The Green Shirts continued to pile up pressure and cut through the Indian middle order. Vihaan Malhotra (7), Vedant Trivedi (9), and Abhigyan Kundu (13) stayed at the crease for a short time, which left India reeling at 82-6 in 12.3 overs.

At one stage, it looked like India would not cross the 100-run mark, but they eventually did, thanks to some sloppy fielding from Pakistan and Deepesh Devendran’s knock, who top-scored for his side.

He made 36 from 16 with the help of six fours and two maximums.

For Pakistan, Ali Raza outfoxed Indian batters with a four-wicket haul while Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, and Mohammad Sayyam contributed with two wickets each.

Earlier, Pakistan capitalized on the decision to bat first against India and racked up 347/8 in their allotted 50 overs.

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Hamza Zahoor and Sameer Minhas provided a brisk start, adding 31 in 3.3 overs before the former was caught after scoring 18. He hit two sixes and a boundary in his knock.

The wicket brought Usman Khan to the crease, who then stitched a 92-run partnership for the second wicket with Minhas, which brought the score to 123 in 16.4 overs.

Khilan Patel provided the much-needed breakthrough for India, removing Usman, who made 35 from 45 with the aid of three fours and a six.  Meanwhile, it continued on and reached half a century.

However, it was the third wicket stand of 137 runs between Sameer Minhas and Ahmed Hussain, which put Green Shirts in a position to score a big total.

Sameer Minhas reached the century on the third ball of the 28th over with a four and continued while Ahmed Hussain departed after making 56 off 72 balls.

At this stage, Pakistan were 260-3 in 37.3 overs.

But India made a comeback in the last phase of the innings and restricted Pakistan’s scoring rate, including the prized wicket of Minhas.

The right-hander was eventually caught after amassing 172 off just 113, peppered with 17 fours and nine sixes.

For India, Deepesh Devendran stood tall among the bowlers and picked up three wickets in his quota of `10 overs.

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MUMBAI: Defending champions India have sprung a major surprise ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, leaving out star batter and vice-captain Shubman Gill from the 15-member squad announced for the home tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad on Saturday as India prepare to defend their crown in the global event, which will run from February 7 to March 8.

The Men in Blue will be aiming to lift the T20 World Cup for a record third time, having defeated South Africa in the final of the 2024 edition.

Gill’s omission is the headline decision from the selection panel, with the prolific right-hander failing to make the cut despite being a regular feature in recent white-ball squads.

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Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in his first ICC tournament as captain; meanwhile, all-rounder Axar Patel has been named vice-captain in Gill’s absence.

The selectors have also opted for a fresh balance in the batting group, leaving out Jitesh Sharma while backing Rinku Singh.

Another notable inclusion is Ishan Kishan, who returns to the T20I setup after last featuring for India in November 2023 against Australia. His recall adds depth to the wicketkeeping options alongside Sanju Samson, while also bolstering the left-handed presence in the top order.

Before the World Cup, India will face New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is. The same squad will feature in the T20I series, scheduled from January 21 to January 31 in preparation for the marquee event.

India squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

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Hardik Pandya led India’s batting assault with his 16-ball 50 to set up a 30-run win over South Africa and clinch the series 3-1 in the fifth T20I on Friday.

A punishing 105-run fourth partnership between Pandya, who hammered 63 off off 25 balls, and Tilak Varma (73) swept India to 231-5 at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

In reply, South Africa started strongly thanks to a 35-ball 65 by Quinton de Kock, who played his 100th T20 for the national team, but the opener’s departure triggered a collapse, and the Proteas ended on 201-8.

The win sealed India’s eighth consecutive T20 series triumph, a streak that began in December 2023.

South Africa began the tour with a stunning 2-0 triumph in the Test series, but the white-ball contests proved disappointing as they also lost the one-day series 2-1.

Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 2-17, including the key wicket of De Kock, who chipped a yorker straight back to him. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets, bowling Donovan Ferreira and George Linde.

The series was part of the build-up for the T20 World Cup, which starts in February in India and Sri Lanka.

Put into bat after the fourth match was abandoned due to fog in Lucknow, Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma started briskly before Pandya tore into the opposition attack.

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Seam bowler Corbin Bosch cut short left-handed Abhishek’s knock on 34, and Samson fell for 37, bowled off left-arm spinner Linde.

India lost their third wicket when skipper Suryakumar Yadav got out for five to extend his lean run with the bat.

T20 specialist Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs across his last 22 innings in this format with no fifties.

Pandya walked in and smacked Bosch for a six to signal his intent with the bat, and in the next over, hammered Linde for two sixes and two fours.

The middle-order batter registered India’s second-fastest T20 fifty, behind Yuvraj Singh’s record of a 12-ball half-century in 2007.

The left-handed Varma also impressed with is clean hitting, but Pandya’s carnage that included five fours and five sixes stole the show.

Pandya finally fell to Ottneil Baartman, and Varma got run out on the penultimate ball, but the pair helped India get 116 runs from the last eight overs.

Vice-captain Shubman Gill missed the match after he injured his right foot while batting in the nets in Lucknow.

In the South African chase, De Kock’s 51-run second-wicket partnership with Dewald Brevis, who made 31 off 17 balls, gave the Proteas hope, but regular wickets and rising asking rate proved too much.

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DUBAI: A clinical bowling effort, followed by Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s gutsy half-centuries, propelled India to a victory over Sri Lanka in the first semi-final of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup here at the ICC Academy on Friday.

Set 139 in a match reduced to 20 overs due to rain, India chased the target on the loss of two wickets with two overs remaining.

Skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi were back in the hutch inside 3.3 overs. The former managed just six off eight while the latter was caught for nine from six balls.

As a result, India were 25-2 with Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra at the crease.

The duo put the Men in Blue’s chase back on track with an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the third wicket that saw them over the line.

Malhotra struck four boundaries and two sixes in his 61 from 45, while Aaron George made 58 off 49 with the aid of four boundaries and a six.

For Sri Lanka, Rasith Nimsara picked up two wickets.

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Earlier, the Indian captain won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first.

But the Islanders’ shambolic batting display limited them to 138-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

India bowlers were on top from the start as they reduced Sri Lanka to 28-3 in 5.3 overs before captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenatigala tried to stabilize the innings with a 45-run partnership.

The pair brought the score to 73-4 in 11.1 overs before a lower-order collapse saw them reeling at the end of their innings.

Chamika Heenatigala remained the highest scorer with 42 from 38, hitting three boundaries while Vimath Dinsara 32 off 29 balls included four fours.

For India, it was a combined bowling effort with Henil Patel and Kanishk Chouhan leading the wickets chart. The duo picked up two wickets each, while Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, and Kishan Singh picked up one each.

The final will be played on 21 December between India and Pakistan at the ICCA Dubai.

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LUCKNOW:  The fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been called off due to excessive fog here on Wednesday.

The play was called off due to excessive fog, with conditions not conducive to play.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city remained in the 400s, a level considered hazardous. Due to this, umpires remained concerned about visibility and six inspections took place before play was finally called off.

With this, India will head into the final fixture already 2-1 up in the series, whereas South Africa will be hoping to draw level.

The final and fifth T20I will be played in Ahmedabad on 19 December, which will also conclude South Africa’s all-format tour of India.

For the unversed, India won the T20I series opener by 101 runs, followed by a dominant comeback win for South Africa in the second match.

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In the second T20I, the Proteas showcased their batting prowess and posted 213-4 in their 20 overs.

In reply, India were bowled out for 162-4 in 19.1 overs, thanks to a clinical bowling effort.

The Men in Blue bounced back with a seven-wicket victory after skittling South Africa for 117 in 20 overs.

The home side reached the target in 15.5 overs, losing only three wickets in the process, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s 35 from 18, which was laced with three sixes and three fours.

Earlier, India clinched the ODI series 2-1 while South Africa started the tour with a 2-0 sweep in the Test series.

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DUBAI: India’s teenage batting sensation Abhigyan Kundu turned heads on Tuesday with a stunning double century against Malaysia in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 at The Sevens Stadium.

The 17-year-old left-hander scored 209 runs off just 125 balls, including 17 fours and nine sixes, propelling India to a commanding 408 for seven in their 50 overs.

While Kundu broke multiple records with this knock, the match does not carry official Youth ODI status.

As a result, South Africa’s Jorich Van Schalkwyk, who scored 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare, remains the only batter to record a double century in official Youth ODIs.

Nevertheless, Kundu’s innings stands out as one of the most remarkable individual performances in the tournament’s history.

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Kundu walked in after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s dismissal in the 11th over and wasted no time asserting his dominance.

He reached his fifty in 44 balls, his century in 80 balls, and crossed the 200-run mark in just 121 deliveries.

He shared a 209-run partnership with Vedant Trivedi and added a blistering 87-run stand from 36 balls with Kanishk Chouhan, ensuring India posted a formidable total.

This knock also surpassed Suryavanshi’s earlier tournament-high score of 171 against the UAE and firmly established Kundu as one of the standout performers of the U19 Asia Cup.

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MUMBAI: Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as a replacement for India all-rounder Axar Patel for the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa.

The news was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a press release.

“He [Axar] is with the team in Lucknow [the venue for the fourth T20I], where he will be further medically assessed,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Axar Patel had also missed the third T20I fixture at Dharamsala, whereas he had modest outings in the opening two fixtures of the five-match series.

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In the opening match played at Cuttack, Axar managed to score 23 off 21 and returned with the bowling figures of 2 for 7.

On the contrary, he had a poor show in New Changigarh, where he picked up one wicket while giving away 27 in three overs. However, Axar’s batting came under the spotlight following a run-a-ball 21 after his promotion to the No.3 position.

Shahbaz Ahmed has represented India in three ODIs and two T20Is, with his last appearance coming in the final of the 2023 Asian Games against Afghanistan.

The fourth and fifth T20I is slated to commence on December 17 and 19 in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, respectively, with India leading the series 2-1.

India’s updated squad for last two T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed

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DUBAI: Pakistan’s emerging batter Ahmed Hussain took an outstanding acrobatic catch during the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025 clash against arch-rivals India here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Ahmed, fresh from a century in the previous outing against Malaysia, demonstrated his next-level fielding skills after pulling a fantastic catch at point during the 20th over of the Indian innings.

Left-arm spinner Niqab Shafiq bowled a wide delivery, which allowed the batter Vedant Trivedi to cut it through the point region; however, Ahmed Hussain plucked it out of the air, which left everybody stunned.

 

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Following the catch, seasoned commentator Roshan Abeysinghe was in awe and praised the fielder for taking a beauty while Ahmed’s teammates rallied around him in celebration.

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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) also shared the video on its social media handles.

“Ahmed Hussain snatches it out of thin air! Vedant is frozen in disbelief ~ he has to walk back,” the caption wrote.

Nonetheless, India managed to defeat Pakistan by 90 runs as the Green Shirts’ batting line faltered in pursuit of the 241-run target.

Deepesh Devendran produced an all-round performance with the bat and ball as he scored a vital 46 runs lower down, which was backed by three wickets.

For Pakistan, Huzaifa Ahsan played a valiant knock, amassing 70 runs from 83 balls laced with nine fours and two sixes.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Usman Khan, Sameer Minhas, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Hamza Zahoor(w), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam, and Ali Raza.

India: Ayush Mhatre(c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu(w), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Sing,h and Henil Patel.

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DUBAI: Kanishk Chouhan delivered an all-round performance to help India brush aside Pakistan in the fifth encounter of the ACC U19 Asia Cup here at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy on Sunday.

Set a stiff 241-run target, Pakistan’s innings folded on mere 150 in 41.2 overs.

The Green Shirts were in trouble right from the outset, with previous match centurion Sameer Minhas dismissed for nine. Ali Hassan Baloch (0), Ahmed Hussain (4), and Usman Khan (16) followed him in quick succession.

Consequently, Pakistan were 30-4 in 13.1 overs.

After a shambolic display from the top-order, skipper Farhan Yousaf and Huzaifa Ahsan tried to arrest the slide with a 47-run stand.

Yousaf departed after scoring 23 from 34 with the help of two fours and a six. At this stage, Pakistan were 77-5 in 24 overs.

After the partnership ended, there were no other significant contributions from the lower order except Huzaifa Ahsan, who top-scored with 70 from 83 balls.

The Karachi-born batter scored nine fours and two sixes in his valiant knock, which ended in the 38th over.

Eventually, Pakistan were bowled out, handing India their second win in the tournament.

For India, Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan starred with the ball and picked up three wickets each.

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Earlier, Pakistan pacers Abdul Subhan and Mohammad Sayyam picked up three wickets apiece to bundle out India for 240 in 46.1 overs despite a rapid start.

In a match reduced to 49 overs per side due to rain, skipper Ayush Mhatre and  Vaibhav Suryavanshi added 29 in the first four overs. However, Green Shirts managed to scalp the prized wicket of Suryavanshi, who made five.

Despite the wickets, Mhatre scored briskly after pairing up with Aaron George. The duo stitched a 49-run partnership to propel the score to 78 at the end of 9.5 overs.

The stand eventually culminated with the Indian skipper’s wicket. He made 38 from 25 balls, which included three sixes and four boundaries.

At this point, the Men in Blue were cruising at a brisk scoring rate, but Pakistan made a comeback in the middle overs to curtail the Indian charge.

India lost wickets in quick succession in the middle overs, as Pakistan effectively squeezed the scoring rate. Yet it was George’s 85 from 88 deliveries, peppered with 12 fours and a six, that helped his side post a respectable total.

Kanishk Chouhan, meanwhile, remained the other notable contributor, lower down the order with a run-a-ball 46 laced with three sixes and two fours.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan and Mohammad Sayyam took three wickets, whereas Niqab Shafiq managed to bag two as well.

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