The Aryavarth Express
Dubai [UAE], December 21: Pakistan U19 batter Sameer Minhas etched his name in the record books on Sunday by registering the highest individual score by a Pakistani player in Youth One-Day Internationals. The landmark knock came during the ACC U19 Asia Cup final against India in Dubai.
Minhas produced a sensational innings of 172 off just 113 deliveries, hammering 17 fours and nine sixes at an impressive strike rate of 152.21. In the process, he surpassed the previous Pakistan Youth ODI record held by Shahzaib Khan. His knock is also the eighth-highest individual score in Youth ODI history, with South Africa’s J van Schalkwyk holding the overall record of 215.
India won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan suffered an early setback with the dismissal of wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor, who scored 18 off 14 balls, but Minhas steadied the innings with crucial partnerships. He added 92 runs with Usman Khan (35 off 45 balls) and followed it up with a dominant 137-run stand alongside Ahmed Hussain, who contributed 56 off 72 deliveries.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals in the latter stages, Pakistan managed to post a formidable total of 347 for 8 in their 50 overs. Minhas was dismissed as the fourth wicket at 302 in 42.5 overs. Niqab Shafiq (12 not out) and Mohammad Sayyam (13 not out) remained unbeaten at the end.
For India, Deepesh Devendran was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 83, while Khilan Patel claimed 2 for 44 and Henil Patel returned 2 for 62.
India now require 348 runs to clinch the U19 Asia Cup title.
In the earlier meeting between the two sides in the tournament, India U19 had bowled Pakistan out for 150 after posting 240, with Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan playing key roles in that encounter.
India U19 Playing XI:
Ayush Mhatre (c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (w), Kanishk Chauhan, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh
Pakistan U19 Playing XI:
Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Hamza Zahoor (w), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Mohammad Shayan, Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam
