- Pakistan reach final after beating Bangladesh.
- India qualified after semi-final win over Sri Lanka.
- Pakistan lost group-stage clash to India by 90 runs.
In-form opener Sameer Minhas struck a 71-ball century to lead Pakistan’s flamboyant start with the bat in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India, underway here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.
After the completion of 29 overs, the Green Shirts were well-placed at 193/2, with Sameer and Ahmed Hussain, unbeaten on 104 and 27, respectively.
Earlier, India won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan.
Pakistan booked their place in the final by beating Bangladesh in the second semi-final on Friday, chasing 122 with the loss of two wickets and 69 balls to spare.
India qualified for the ultimate game after a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka in the first semi-final.
There was no handshake at the toss between the two captains, and a handshake also did not take place during the pre-match trophy photo opportunity.
Separately, reports said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is scheduled to attend the final and the closing ceremony in Dubai.
Sources added that Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, will watch the match live at the venue and attend the ceremony where the winning team will lift the trophy.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Mohammad Shayan, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam
India: Ayush Mhatre (c), V Suryavanshi, Aaron George, VM Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, AA Kundu (wk), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, KK Singh
