Sameer Minhas eyes U19 World Cup glory

He also reflected on his record-breaking hundred in Zimbabwe

Sameer Minhas’ cricketing journey began not on established cricket grounds but on the tiled floor of his home. With water sprinkled on tiles to generate pace and swing and taped tennis balls doubling up as match balls, Sameer and his elder brother Arafat Minhas spent countless hours playing improvised games.

That humble beginning, Sameer says, was shaped by his father – the first and biggest influence in his life.
A cricketer himself whose own playing ambitions were cut short, he encouraged both his sons to pursue the game.
“My father saw how much we enjoyed cricket and asked us to try the leather ball,” Sameer recalls. “My brother started first and then I followed. That moment changed everything.”

From street cricket to structured pathways, Sameer’s progress was steady as he went on to represent the Multan Region at U13 level in the 2018-19 season before captaining South Punjab U13, leading his side to the final.
The right-handed batter then represented Southern Punjab at U16 level, featuring in the PCB National U16 One-Day Tournament 2020-21. “That’s where I played alongside my brother for the first time,” Sameer says. Consistent performances earned him selection in the PCB’s 100-player programme.

Transitioning into U19 cricket was not without its challenges. His first season yielded modest returns, but in last year’s National U19 Cup, Sameer amassed over 400 runs from seven outings, performances that eventually earned him a Pakistan U19 cap.
“It has been a good journey,” Sameer reflects. “I started from the grassroots and focused on techniques and basics. I enjoyed every part of it.”
The influence of his brother Arafat Minhas, who has represented Pakistan in four T20Is, remains central to Sameer’s motivation. Watching his brother train, compete and enjoy the game reinforced his belief.
“Representing Pakistan is not easy,” Sameer admits. “It takes a lot of hard work and expectations are always high.”

Those expectations intensified during the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, where Sameer rose to the occasion on the biggest stage. His match-winning century in the final helped Pakistan defeat arch-rivals India by 191 runs in Dubai.
Reflecting on his record-breaking hundred in Zimbabwe during the recently concluded tri-series, Sameer recalled, “I just wanted to contribute to the team. I played normally, went slowly at first and focused on finding gaps. After half-century, I thought if I accelerate a bit, it could become a hundred.

“When I saw the PCB post about a new record, it was an incredible feeling. Representing Pakistan and making a mark like that is something special.”

Beyond individual milestones, Sameer consistently points to team unity as Pakistan U19’s biggest strength.
Months of camps, training sessions and shared experiences have forged a strong bond within the squad, a factor he believes proved decisive in both the Asia Cup and tri-series success.

“Our bonding is very strong,” he says. “That unity helped us win titles.”
As Pakistan U19 turn their focus to the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, Sameer’s goals are clear.
“Our simple plan is to win the World Cup,” he states. “Personally, my first goal is to win it for Pakistan. The second is to become player of the tournament.”

On his preparation for matches, the Multan batter revisits his own highlights to reinforce positive memories. He draws inspiration from former South Africa batter AB de Villiers, whom he admires for his fearless approach.
Thanking fans for their continued support, Sameer urged them to keep backing the team, expressing confidence that Pakistan U19 will perform strongly in the forthcoming mega event.