In a grand gesture celebrating a historic cricketing triumph, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a monumental cash reward for the nation's Under-19 cricket team. This follows their emphatic victory over arch-rivals India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final on Sunday.
A Prime Ministerial Reception and Generous Reward
The young champions were hosted at a special reception in Islamabad by PM Sharif on Monday. During the celebratory event, the Prime Minister announced a cash award of 10 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $36,000 or over ₹30 lakh) for each member of the winning squad. Team mentor and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed the announcement to the media, expressing his delight at working with such a talented group.
"The Prime Minister has rewarded every player with 10 million rupees," Sarfaraz stated, adding that he believes these youngsters have a very bright future in the sport. The team's performance was lauded by all officials present at the ceremony.
The Road to Victory: Planning and Execution
Head coach Shahid Anwar shed light on the meticulous preparation that paved the way for the title win. He revealed that the selection process was a long-term project, beginning in June with trials involving around 70 players. This pool was eventually narrowed down to a core group of 20, most of whom were given exposure to 50-over cricket at the domestic level.
This careful planning culminated in a dominant display in the final. Batting first, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 347 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. The innings was powered by a spectacular knock of 172 runs from Sameer Minhas, who was the undisputed star of the match. Pakistan's pace attack then dismantled the Indian batting line-up, bowling them out for a mere 156 runs, securing a massive victory by 191 runs.
Reactions from Captains and the Tournament Star
Indian captain Ayush Mhatre conceded that his team made errors on the big day. He pointed to inconsistencies in the bowling line and acknowledged that while the tournament was overall positive for the team, they faltered in the final.
In contrast, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf highlighted the collective team effort. He mentioned that after losing their first match against India in the tournament, a crucial talk with the team management helped them regroup and deliver a championship-winning performance in the final.
The hero of the hour, Sameer Minhas, who was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, described his innings as "very memorable." He said his plan was to play his natural game and aim for a big score, a strategy that paid off handsomely for his team.
This victory and the subsequent recognition from the highest office underscore the significance of the achievement for Pakistan's cricketing future, even as the Indian team reflects on a missed opportunity.
