The stage is set for another epic chapter in one of cricket's greatest rivalries as India and Pakistan face off in the final of the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. The high-stakes clash will be played at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Sunday, December 21, with India chasing a historic, record-extending 12th title in the tournament's history.
India's Dominant Road to the Final
Led by captain Ayush Mhatre, the Indian colts have been the undisputed standout team of the competition. They topped Group A with a perfect record, which included a commanding 90-run victory over Pakistan in their group-stage encounter last Sunday. Their dominance continued into the semi-finals, where they eased past Sri Lanka by eight wickets to book their place in the title decider.
India's campaign has been built on the back of phenomenal batting power. The team has crossed the 400-run mark twice, showcasing incredible depth and confidence. The fireworks began early with Vaibhav Suryavanshi's blistering 171 off just 95 balls against the UAE. The bar was raised even higher by wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu, who smashed an unbeaten 209 from 125 deliveries against Malaysia. This monumental innings made him the first Indian ever to score a double century in Youth ODI cricket.
Key Players and Supporting Cast
While the top order has grabbed headlines, the Indian middle order has provided crucial stability. Aaron George has been a model of consistency with three consecutive half-centuries. In the semi-final, Vihaan Malhotra's composed, unbeaten 61 guided the team home without any fuss. The balance of the side has been further enhanced by all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan, who has contributed valuable late-order runs and taken six wickets, including a match-defining 3/33 against Pakistan.
With the ball, the attack has been led by pacer Deepesh Devendran, the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 11 scalps. His five-wicket haul against Malaysia and a decisive three-wicket burst against Pakistan in the group stage underscore his ability to deliver in key moments.
Pakistan's Challenge and Path to the Final
Pakistan, having finished second in Group A, showed great resilience to bounce back from their loss to India. They knocked out the defending champions, Bangladesh, in the semi-finals to set up this final rematch. Their campaign, however, has been marked by inconsistency with the bat.
They will rely heavily on Sameer Minhas, who has shown his class with an unbeaten 177 against Malaysia and a half-century versus Bangladesh. Their primary strength lies in a pace-driven bowling attack led by Abdul Subhan (also with 11 wickets), supported by Mohammad Sayyam and Ali Raza. Spinners Niqab Shafiq and Ahmed Hussain provide additional options.
The final promises high intensity and discipline, with the match scheduled to begin at 10.30 am IST. As the tournament concludes, both teams are expected to follow the no-handshake policy. All eyes will be on whether India can clinch their 12th crown or if Pakistan can stage an upset and rewrite the script in this fierce junior rivalry.
