Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas once again showcased his immense talent by scoring a brilliant century, his second of the tournament as Pakistan posted a massive 347 for 8 in an exciting 50-over U19 Asia Cup final on Sunday.

Minhas, one of the key performers for Pakistan throughout the event, scored 172 off just 113 balls, leading his team after they had suffered a 90-run loss to India in the group stage at the same venue.

Mohsin Naqvi, who is the PCB Chief and ACC chairman, joined Pakistan fans in celebrating the team’s triumph. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior is expected to present the U19 Asia Cup trophy to the victorious side.

Pakistan, coming off a dominant eight-wicket win over defending champions Bangladesh in the semifinals, did not allow India, who chose to bowl first, to settle into their rhythm.

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Minhas, the younger brother of Pakistan T20 player Arafat Minhas, who had played a crucial unbeaten half-century in the semifinal, attacked every bowler but was particularly severe on the new-ball pair, Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran.

His innings featured 17 boundaries and nine sixes, with his century coming off just 71 balls through a four in the 29th over off Devendran. This was Minhas’ second hundred of the tournament, following an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia in the opening match.

The 19-year-old seemed on course for a double century, which would have placed him alongside India’s Abhigyan Kundu and South Africa’s Jorich Van Schalkwyk in the elite 200-plus club. However, he was eventually deceived by a slower delivery from Devendran (3/83) and caught at mid-on, giving the bowler his first wicket after being heavily targeted by the opener.

Minhas had earlier showcased his power with a huge six in the 28th over, stepping down the track to hit Ayush Mhatre’s delivery high over deep mid-wicket with remarkable technique.

Pakistan’s innings had a solid start despite the early dismissal of Hamza Zahoor for 18, who offered an easy catch at mid-off after being troubled by a clever off-stump line. Zahoor’s wicket brought in Usman Khan, who scored 35, and together with Minhas added 92 runs for the second wicket.

Left-handed Ahmed Hussain, in excellent form during the tournament with a century and a half-century, contributed 56 runs before being trapped by left-arm spinner Khilan Patel (2/44), who induced a sweep shot to offer a catch at mid-wicket. Hussain’s 137-run partnership with Minhas laid the foundation for Pakistan to aim for a big total.

India have won the U19 Asia Cup a record eight times since the tournament began in 1989 and were joint winners with Pakistan in 2012 after the final ended in a tie. Pakistan, on the other hand, have lifted the trophy only once before, sharing it with India in Malaysia.

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