Pakistan U19 mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed speaks to the media after group’s win in Asia Cup 2025 remaining towards India on December 21, 2025. — Reporter
DUBAI: Pakistan U19 mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed stated instilling perception and a combating 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 opponents.
Talking after the U19 group’s win towards arch-rivals India within the Asia Cup 2025 remaining, Sarfaraz stated PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had given him a transparent message: be a fighter and make the following technology struggle on the sphere. The previous Pakistan captain stated his function was to not lecture gamers however to provide them confidence to precise their expertise below stress.
“I was told that if you are a fighter, then show the world a team that fights,” stated Sarfaraz. “I gave these young players belief and confidence to fight till the last breath, and they lived up to expectations”.
The Pakistan U19 group on Sunday, set a 348-run goal for India within the remaining 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.  Â
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, stated the newest success belonged completely to the gamers.
“By the grace of God, the boys worked extremely hard. I did very little — it is Allah’s blessing. The effort was theirs and the result is there for everyone to see,” he stated.
He singled out batter Sameer Minhas for producing a “magnificent innings under pressure”, including that the teaching employees in Multan had performed a significant function in his improvement. “A lot of hard work went into his preparation, and Sameer deserves full credit for delivering when it mattered,” Sarfaraz stated.
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 result of teamwork. Every player played his role, and that collective effort turned this group into champions,” he stated.
Requested about chants of help for him and the PCB chairman from followers, Sarfaraz performed it down. “These are the people. It depends on the fans — they can chant if they want,” he stated with a smile.
Sarfaraz stated gratitude and a constructive mindset have been central to success. “No matter how much you thank God, it is never enough. If you keep good intentions and belief, good results follow,” he added.
The triumph provides one other chapter to Sarfaraz’s popularity as a frontrunner who delivers on the massive stage — as soon as once more bringing smiles to Pakistani followers by guiding younger expertise to continental glory.
