ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Under-19 Asia Cricket Cup winners was feted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who announced a reward of Rs10 million each for the players.
The premier hosted a luncheon in honour of the young players. He congratulated the team and management on their brilliant victory against India. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and federal ministers also attended the function.
Addressing a news conference after meeting the prime minister, Head Coach Shahid Anwar said that this process started on June 17, 2025, when trial was held of 70 young players. After the trial, a camp was organised for 30 players. Before going to the Asia Cup, the goal was to win the cup.
Former Test cricketer and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said that the players and the coaching staff had worked very hard.
He said he had met with the prime minister who announced Rs10 million each for players.
According to Sarfaraz, the prime minister expressed the hope that the team would win more laurels in the future. The Prime Minister encouraged the youngsters. He was all praise for Sameer Ahmed who played a winning knock. Usman Khan also forged an important partnership with Sameer.
Captain Farhan Yousuf said that all the players have an important role in winning the Asia Cup. Sarfaraz encouraged them to put in their best.
Farhan said that he was not satisfied with his performance in the event. “I will try to give individual performance in the World Cup,” he added.
Man of the match and series Sameer Minhas said that the plan was very simple: to spend time on the wicket, play natural game.
He said he had some good knocks under his belt and there was no pressure of the match against India.
He said that in the previous match against India, he got out due to his own mistake. Despite that, he added, he was not under pressure in the final.
If you put a good total on the board, there is a lot of pressure on the opposing team. The idea was to score good runs for the team, he said of the strategy about the final.
Team manager Sarfaraz said that it was a high-stakes match in which our players performed well.
He criticised Indian youngsters for their highly inappropriate behaviour and praised Pakistani boys for showing sportsmanship.
He said that he played against the Indian team that considered cricket a game.