Pakistan Clinches U19 Asia Cup 2025; PCB to Report India

Post by : Mina Rahman

The U19 Asia Cup 2025 culminated dramatically with Pakistan triumphing over India, thanks to a stellar century from Sameer Minhas. The match was fraught with tension, leading to a substantial controversy after Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), made headlines. Following a formal grievance from Pakistan’s Under-19 coach Sarfaraz Ahmed regarding the conduct of Indian players during the match, Naqvi declared intentions to lodge an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The final took place on Sunday, where Pakistan set an impressive score of 347 for 8. India, however, faltered in reply, bowled out for just 156 runs in 26.2 overs, resulting in a decisive 191-run victory. This remarkable achievement marked Pakistan's first U19 Asia Cup title in 13 years and only the second in the country’s cricketing history.

During a celebration hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the winning squad, Naqvi stated, “Indian players provoked our players throughout the final. We will formally report this conduct to the ICC. It is vital for sports and politics to remain distinct.”

Sarfaraz Ahmed also condemned the behavior of the Indian team, claiming it undermined cricket’s spirit. He remarked, “India’s actions were inappropriate and contradicted the essence of the game. Nonetheless, we reveled in our victory with decorum and sportsmanship. Cricket must always be played in the right spirit, and India’s actions illustrate their perspective,” he added.

This incident follows disciplinary actions from the ICC against players from both sides, including Haris Rauf and Suryakumar Yadav, due to breaches of the Code of Conduct during the senior Asia Cup 2025 matches between India and Pakistan.