Sarfaraz Hails Collective Brilliance After Pakistan U19 Dominate India in ACC Final

DUBAI: Pakistan Under-19 team manager and mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed described the ACC Men’s Asia Cup triumph as a defining moment for the group, praising discipline, unity, and belief after a crushing 191-run victory over India in the final.

Pakistan lifted the U19 Asia Cup title for the second time, ending a 13-year wait with a performance that reflected planning and fearless execution on the biggest stage. Sarfaraz stressed that the win belonged to the entire squad, not individual stars alone.

Trust Your Skills and Play Freely

Speaking after the final, Sarfaraz revealed the simple message he delivered throughout the tournament. He urged the players to trust their ability and express themselves without fear.

“I told the boys to play openly and trust their abilities,” Sarfaraz said.

“They are very talented, and if given the right investment, they can win titles for Pakistan in the future.”

He described the victory as a major confidence boost, especially with the ICC U19 World Cup approaching soon.

“This is definitely a good victory. The morale of the team is very high, and hopefully we carry this momentum into the World Cup,” he added.

Hard Work, Not Hype, Made the Difference

Sarfaraz credited preparation and shared purpose for Pakistan U19’s dominance against their arch-rivals. He rejected the idea of instant motivation or emotional speeches creating success.

“You do not shout magic into a team,” he explained.

“It is God’s grace, hard work, and everyone moving in the same direction with the same goal.”

He emphasized alignment between players, coaches, and management as a key factor behind the commanding display in the final.

Sameer Minhas Earns Rare Praise

Sarfaraz reserved special praise for Sameer Minhas, whose breathtaking 172 in the final earned him the Player of the Tournament award. The former Pakistan captain called it one of the finest youth innings he had ever witnessed.

“I have followed Under-19 cricket since 2002, and in 23 years I have not seen such a commanding knock in such a big final,” Sarfaraz said.

He credited both the batter’s temperament and the groundwork done by academy coaches for producing such a performance under pressure.

Bowling Unit Sets the Tone

While acknowledging Minhas’ brilliance, Sarfaraz highlighted the collective effort, especially from the bowling unit. He singled out Abdul Subhan, Ali Raza, and Mohammad Sayyam for consistent impact throughout the tournament.

“Subhan bowled outstandingly in the final,” he noted.

“Ali Raza and Subhan were excellent, and Mohammad Sayyam also delivered strongly.”

Sarfaraz concluded by underlining the team-first culture behind the triumph.

“There were individual performances, but this title came through a collective effort. That is what made this team champions.”