DUBAI: Pakistan U19 mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed mentioned instilling perception and a preventing mindset in younger gamers was the important thing to their Asia Cup success, crediting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman for tasking him with turning expertise into resilient rivals.
Talking after the U19 group’s win towards arch-rivals India within the Asia Cup 2025 ultimate, Sarfaraz mentioned PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had given him a transparent message: be a fighter and make the subsequent technology combat on the sector. The previous Pakistan captain mentioned his function was to not lecture gamers however to present them confidence to specific their expertise underneath stress.
“I used to be advised that if you’re a fighter, then present the world a group that fights,” mentioned Sarfaraz. “I gave these younger gamers perception and confidence to combat until the final breath, they usually lived as much as expectations”.
The Pakistan U19 group on Sunday, set a 348-run goal for India within the ultimate the place the latter’s batting unit might yield 156 runs earlier than getting bowled out in 26.2 overs, courtesy of Pakistan’s stellar bowling assault.
Sarfaraz, who famously led Pakistan to a historic Champions Trophy victory over India in 2017 and captained the nation to a U19 World Cup title earlier in his profession, mentioned the most recent success belonged fully to the gamers.
“By the grace of God, the boys labored extraordinarily onerous. I did little or no — it’s Allah’s blessing. The trouble was theirs and the result’s there for everybody to see,” he mentioned.
He singled out batter Sameer Minhas for producing a “magnificent innings underneath stress”, including that the teaching employees in Multan had performed a significant function in his improvement. “Quite a lot of onerous work went into his preparation, and Sameer deserves full credit score for delivering when it mattered,” Sarfaraz mentioned.
The previous wicketkeeper additionally praised the bowling unit, highlighting the performances of Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan and Saeem for his or her disciplined spells all through the event.
“This victory is the results of teamwork. Each participant performed his function, and that collective effort turned this group into champions,” he mentioned.
Requested about chants of assist for him and the PCB chairman from followers, Sarfaraz performed it down. “These are the folks. It relies on the followers — they will chant if they need,” he mentioned with a smile.
Sarfaraz mentioned gratitude and a optimistic mindset had been central to success. “Irrespective of how a lot you thank God, it’s by no means sufficient. Should you maintain good intentions and perception, good outcomes observe,” he added.
The triumph provides one other chapter to Sarfaraz’s status as a pacesetter who delivers on the large stage — as soon as once more bringing smiles to Pakistani followers by guiding younger expertise to continental glory.
