The atmosphere in the high-voltage Under-19 Asia Cup final heated up when India’s young player Vaibhav Suryavanshi got into a verbal altercation with Pakistan fast bowler Ali Raza after his dismissal at the ICC Academy Ground.
Chasing Pakistan’s mammoth total of 347/8—which was built on Sameer Minhas’s brilliant inning of 172 runs off 113 balls (17 fours, 9 sixes)—India made an explosive start. 14-year-old Suryavanshi hit Raza for 21 runs in the very first over, which included two sixes and a four, making his aggressive intentions clear. However, in the fifth over, he was caught by the wicketkeeper on a short ball and was out after scoring 26 runs in 10 balls.
Raza celebrated vigorously, directing them towards the pavilion with words and stares. Undeterred, Suryavanshi responded by walking back, pointing towards the bowler and then towards his shoe/foot, a gesture largely considered insulting – which meant the pacer was worth less than the dust on his shoe. The moment, which was captured on video, quickly went viral, highlighting the intense India-Pakistan rivalry even at the youth level.
Earlier, captain Ayush Mhatre also said something after his early dismissal. These events demonstrated passion but received mixed reactions on nature.
Thereafter, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Ali Raza (4/42), dominated and bowled out India for 156 in 26.2 overs – their biggest Youth ODI defeat in terms of runs. Deepesh Devendran scored the highest score of 36 runs.
This spectacular 191-run win made Pakistan champions for the second time (its first outright win since sharing in 2012), and they avenged their group stage defeat. Minhas received player of the match and series honors.
The final saw emerging talents clash against classic rivalries, with Pakistan’s all-round performance sealing a historic title.
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