Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas has emerged as the standout name of the ACC Men’s Under-19 (U19) Asia Cup after a record-breaking innings in the final against India confirmed his status as one of the country’s most exciting batting prospects.
The right-hander smashed 172 off 113 balls at the ICC Academy, the highest individual score ever made in a Youth Asia Cup final, to set up Pakistan’s 191-run win and secure their second title at this level. His assault turned the contest into a one-sided affair and capped a tournament in which he dominated almost from start to finish.
Cricket is embedded in the Minhas family. Sameer’s father, Kashif Minhas, represented Pakistan at the U19 level and identified talent early in both his sons, Sameer and elder brother Arafat Minhas. Arafat has already played four T20Is for Pakistan between 2023 and 2024.
The family shifted to Lahore to give the boys better access to coaching and facilities, convinced that both could progress to senior international cricket.
Sameer’s 172 did not come out of nowhere. Earlier in the tournament, he had hammered an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia in the group stage, a first warning of the form he was carrying. He followed that with scores of 9, 4, and an unbeaten 69 before peaking again in the final against India.
Despite the high stakes, Sameer said the occasion did not weigh on him.
“India versus Pakistan is always a big game, but personally, I didn’t feel any extra pressure. I just wanted to play my natural game,” he said afterwards.
That natural game was ruthless. He attacked both pace and spin, repeatedly clearing the leg-side boundary and lofting spinners straight back down the ground. India’s leading quick Deepesh Devendran went for 52, while off-spinner Kanishk Chouhan conceded 42 from 28 balls as Sameer controlled the innings from the top.
“It was a good innings for me. I had just one thing in mind: scoring runs for the team and helping us put up a big total,” he said.
By the end of the tournament, Sameer had collected both Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Series. He finished with 471 runs at an average of 157 and a strike rate of 117.45, easily the most prolific batter in the competition.
The next stage in his rise comes quickly: Sameer Minhas is set to feature again for Pakistan at the ICC Under-19 World Cup next month, where his performances will be watched closely by selectors and fans looking for the country’s next long-term opener.
