Pakistan’s rising batting sensation Sameer Minhas has named national team captain Babar Azam as his biggest cricketing inspiration, following a sensational performance in the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. The 19-year-old middle-order batter opened up about his admiration during an interview with a local media outlet, crediting Babar’s consistency, temperament, and leadership as key influences on his own journey.
When asked which Pakistani cricketer he looks up to the most, Minhas answered confidently, stating that Babar Azam remains his role model. He emphasized how closely he follows Babar’s batting approach, particularly his composure under pressure and ability to deliver in high-stakes matches.
Minhas recently etched his name into Pakistan’s junior cricket history by playing a pivotal role in the country’s first-ever Under-19 Asia Cup triumph in the tournament’s 35-year existence. His performances were nothing short of extraordinary, making him the standout player of the competition and a central figure in Pakistan’s title-winning campaign.
The right-handed batter ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing a remarkable 471 runs in just five matches. He averaged an astonishing 157.00, while maintaining a healthy strike rate of 117.45, numbers that underlined his dominance throughout the event. His run spree included two centuries and a fifty, showcasing both consistency and match-winning ability.
One of Minhas’ most commanding innings came against Malaysia Under-19, where he produced a breathtaking unbeaten 177. The knock not only set the tone for Pakistan’s campaign but also sent a strong message about his intent and class at the international junior level.
However, the teenager saved his finest performance for the final against arch-rivals India, delivering a pressure-laden innings on the biggest stage. Batting first after losing the toss, Minhas played a captain-like knock of 172 from 113 balls, laced with 17 boundaries and nine towering sixes. His innings powered Pakistan to a formidable total of 347 for eight.
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He received solid support from Ahmed Hussain, who contributed a composed 56 off 72 deliveries, ensuring Pakistan maintained momentum through the middle overs.
India’s chase never found stability as Pakistan’s bowling attack applied relentless pressure. The Indian side was bundled out for 156 in just 26.2 overs, handing Pakistan a dominant 191-run victory in the final.
Fast bowler Ali Raza led the bowling charge with an impressive four-wicket haul for 42 runs, while Ahmed Hussain and Huzaifa Ahsan chipped in with two wickets each to seal a historic triumph for Pakistan’s Under-19 team.
With his idol Babar Azam setting the benchmark, Sameer Minhas now appears poised to follow a promising path toward the senior national side, carrying the hopes of Pakistan’s next generation of cricketing talent.
