Pakistan rewards U-19 cricket team after Asia Cup win over India

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday honored the national Under-19 cricket team following their emphatic victory over India in the Asia Cup final, praising the players for their discipline and resilience.

The win, secured at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, saw opener Sameer Minhas score a commanding 172 runs, leading Pakistan to a 191-run triumph over their arch-rivals. The victory marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s youth cricket development.

In the recognition of the team’s achievement, Sharif hosted a luncheon to personally congratulate each player and member of the coaching staff, according to state-run wire service.

“The way you trained, played, and handled pressure shows maturity beyond your age,” Sharif said, highlighting the team’s ability to lift national pride with their performance.

The prime minister announced cash rewards of 10 million Pakistani rupees for each player and PKR2.5 million for each member of the support staff, reinforcing government support for nurturing young talent.

Head coach Shahid Anwer said the team had executed its strategy of “fearless but not careless cricket,” maintaining focus despite the high-stakes environment of the India-Pakistan rivalry. Captain Farhan Yousuf Khan credited structured training camps and management support for helping the team perform under pressure, adding that the squad aims to carry this momentum into upcoming international tournaments.

Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi lauded the players’ composure during the final, noting that they remained focused despite provocations and distractions.

Naqvi also announced plans for a new High Performance Centre in Lahore to replace an outdated facility, aiming to provide modern training resources for emerging cricketers.

Several players reflected on the preparation behind the victory, highlighting technical improvements in bowling, batting, and fielding, along with mental conditioning and strategic planning, as key factors in their success.

The Asia Cup win underscores Pakistan’s growing strength in youth cricket and comes amid a competitive regional landscape where India has historically dominated the age-group tournaments.

The Under-19 Asia Cup triumph provides Pakistan with both a morale boost and a potential pipeline of talent for the senior national team, signaling the emergence of a new generation of cricketers ready to compete on the world stage.