Knocking out archrival

Finals are meant to be close, tense affairs decided by nerve and nuance. Pakistan's Under-19 Asia Cup triumph over India was none of that. It was a statement delivered with bat and ball. A 191-run victory in a continental final against an unbeaten Indian side was a convincing win to secure the final.

What made Sunday's rout particularly striking was its completeness. Pakistan did not merely outplay India, they overwhelmed them in every department. From Sameer Minhas' record-shattering 172 to the ruthless dismantling of India's batting by Ali Raza and company, this was a performance of rare authority - especially from a side that had been beaten comfortably by the same opponents in the group stage and entered the final labelled as underdogs. Sameer's innings was laced with power and precision. His partnerships with Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain ensured that Pakistan never ceded momentum and ultimately secured 347 runs, turning what could have been a competitive total into a psychological burden for the opposition. India's response with the bat told its own story. A brief, frenetic burst at the top hinted at bravado but once that bubble burst, the innings unraveled with startling speed. Ali Raza's spell exposed the fragility beneath India's much-vaunted batting depth.

For Pakistan, this victory is significant. Youth cricket in the country has often been a paradox with abundant talent undermined by inconsistent structures and short-term thinking. Performances like this underline what is possible when preparation meets opportunity. More than the margin, this final also carried a subtext that could not be ignored. In a climate where Indian cricket has increasingly allowed political overtones to seep onto the field - from visible hostility to the refusal of basic sporting courtesies such as handshakes - Pakistan delivered a performance of such authority that it stripped away the noise.