Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas produced a sensational knock in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2025 final, once again showcasing why he is considered one of the brightest young batting talents. Facing India in a high-pressure title clash at the ICC Cricket Academy Ground in Dubai on Sunday, Minhas hammered a magnificent 172 off just 113 deliveries, his second century of the tournament.
His blistering innings powered Pakistan to a formidable 347/8 in 50 overs, putting the Indian side under massive pressure early in the game. The right-hander dominated the Indian bowlers throughout the innings and maintained an aggressive scoring rate from the start.
Who is Sameer Minhas?
Sameer Minhas is the younger brother of Pakistan T20I cricketer Arafat Minhas, who has represented the national senior side in four matches as a left-arm orthodox bowler. While Arafat contributes mainly with spin, Sameer is a naturally attacking right-hand opening batter who can also bowl leg-break and googly when needed.
Born on December 2, 2006, in Multan, Pakistan, Sameer rose through Pakistan’s age-group system with consistent performances. He represented:
- Multan Region U-13
- Southern Punjab U-16
- Multan U-19
His form in youth cricket earned him a call-up to Pakistan’s U-19 national squad.
🔥 Tournament dominance
Sameer has been among the most impressive performers in the Asia Cup 2025. Earlier in the tournament, he smashed an unbeaten 177 off 148 balls vs Malaysia in what was his maiden Youth ODI innings, striking 11 fours and 8 sixes.
He followed that with a crucial unbeaten fifty in the semifinal.
In the final, Minhas launched an even more destructive assault on the Indian attack. He punished every bowler, especially India’s new ball pair Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran, who struggled to contain him.
Minhas reached his hundred in the 29th over, bringing up the milestone off just 71 deliveries with a boundary off Devendran.
His innings featured:
- 17 fours
- 9 sixes
- Strike rate of more than 150
At one stage, he appeared on track for a double century and looked set to join the elite U19 double-century club featuring India’s Abhigyan Kundu and South Africa’s Jorich van Schalkwyk.
However, Devendran finally outsmarted him with a slower delivery, drawing a mistimed shot to mid-on to end the marathon knock. Devendran finished with figures of 3/83 and celebrated the prized wicket after being taken apart earlier in the innings.
