Tanvir Challenges Babar’s Praise of Sarfaraz in U19 Success

Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has ignited a fresh debate around the Sarfaraz Ahmed credit debate, openly disagreeing with Babar Azam’s congratulatory message after Pakistan’s ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 triumph. His remarks landed swiftly and carried weight, reopening an old discussion about who truly drives success behind junior teams.

Pakistan’s under-19 side sealed the title in emphatic fashion, crushing India by 191 runs in the final after enduring a heavy defeat to the same rivals during the group stage. The turnaround drew praise from across the cricketing circle. Among those applauding the young side was Babar, who saluted the players and highlighted Sarfaraz Ahmed’s experience as a guiding force during the campaign.

Babar praised the hunger shown by the young players, and he also gave credit to Sarfaraz for building the team’s mindset. Fans liked it and connected the win with Sarfaraz’s past success against India in big finals.

Tanvir’s Response Sparks Discussion

Tanvir did not agree with that view and replied directly, saying that the praise was misplaced. The former fast bowler said the real credit belonged to head coach Shahid Anwar, former youth chief Azhar Ali, and bowling coach Rao Iftikhar Anjum. He explained that months of planning, training, and discipline came from the support staff, not from symbolic presence.

Tanvir stated that no credit should be assigned elsewhere when the daily grind was handled by the coaches who built the side piece by piece. He also expressed disappointment at seeing Sarfaraz placed front and center while others remained in the background.

Why Sarfaraz Remains In Focus

Despite the criticism, Sarfaraz still earns respect because of his past success. He led Pakistan to win the 2006 ICC Under-19 World Cup. Later, he captained the senior team to the Champions Trophy title in 2017. Both wins came against India in the finals, and these memories still matter, especially during big victories.

Supporters argue that experience matters during tense moments, while critics feel nostalgia often clouds fair assessment. That contrast sits at the heart of the Babar Azam statement controversy, which has divided opinion rather than settling it.

Pakistan’s U19 success has reopened long-standing questions about recognition, influence, and how credit is shared when trophies finally arrive.