When Sameer Minhas first picked up a bat at the age of nine, he dreamt of producing a defining performance in a major final. On Sunday night in Dubai, that dream turned into reality.
Batting with fearless intent, the Pakistan Under-19 batter smashed a belligerent 172 off just 113 balls against arch-rivals India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, producing a knock that will be remembered for years to come.
Laced with nine sixes and 17 boundaries, Sameer’s innings propelled Pakistan to a commanding 347 for 8, setting the tone for a crushing 191-run victory.
A Knock That Will Last A Lifetime
Reflecting on his performance, Sameer described the moment as deeply personal and unforgettable.
It was my childhood dream to do something memorable in cricket.
“I am happy that I have done the first memorable thing with this hundred, which will remain special throughout my career, and the icing on the cake is that I did it against India.”
Pakistan’s fast-bowling trio, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan and Mohammad Sayyam, ensured Sameer’s effort was not in vain, sharing eight wickets as India were skittled out for 156 in 26.2 overs.
Cricket Runs In The Family
Sameer’s rise is no surprise to those who know his background. He comes from a cricket-loving household in Multan, with elder brother Arafat Minhas having represented Pakistan in four T20 Internationals, and father Kashif Minhas a respected club cricketer.
The family home was buzzing with anticipation on the morning of the final.
Yes, we were expecting some fireworks from Sameer. I am proud that my son played a key role in the team’s win over India. A victory against India gives us four hundred per cent delight.
Kashif, who built his livelihood through sheer hard work, from car trading to mango exports and Multan’s famous halwa business, credited discipline and honesty for shaping his sons’ journeys.
Inspiration From History
Pakistan’s triumph marked their seventh win over India in 11 junior-level encounters since 2019 and mirrored the famous 2017 Champions Trophy turnaround, when Pakistan rebounded from a group-stage loss to defeat India emphatically in the final. That memory was not lost on the current squad.
Sarfaraz Sir reminded us of the Champions Trophy story and made us believe that we could beat India.
No Pressure, Only Belief
Despite the high stakes, Sameer said the team approached the final calmly.
There was no pressure of playing India. We had already played them earlier in the tournament. When they asked us to bat, we were happy. We knew that if we put a big total on the board, they would be under pressure.
Bowlers Finish The Job
Fast bowler Ali Raza admitted India’s aggressive start tested Pakistan early but said the plan never changed.
“We knew India relied heavily on Vaibhav Suriyavanshi and Ayush Mahtre,” Ali said. “Vaibhav plays aggressively, so we knew he would miscue one eventually. Even after conceding runs early, we stayed confident.”
Ali bounced back after an expensive first over to dismiss Mahtre and Vaibhav in quick succession, triggering a collapse from which India never recovered.
For Sameer Minhas, the final was more than just a match, it was the fulfilment of a boyhood dream, achieved on the grandest stage against the fiercest rivals. And for Pakistan cricket, it may well mark the arrival of a star built for big moments.
