ISLAMABAD: The victory will be ours, the defeat will be yours. This powerful and confidence-boosting motto shaped the mindset of Pakistan’s triumphant under-19 side as they marched into the Asia Cup final against arch-rivals India and ultimately emerged champions.
Addressing the media in Islamabad on Monday, Pakistan under-19 captain Farhan Yousaf revealed that the team management and support staff gave the players one clear and liberating instruction: play fearless cricket without worrying about the outcome.
“The management told us that victory would belong to the players, while defeat would be their responsibility. That backing gave us immense confidence. We entered the final fully supported and mentally free, and that allowed us to give our absolute best,” Farhan said.
Despite leading the side to continental glory, Farhan was candid about his own batting form, admitting that he fell short of expectations with just 70 runs across five innings in the tournament.
“I am not satisfied with my personal performance. As captain, I believe I can do better. I will work harder to improve and contribute more meaningfully to the team’s success in the future,” he pledged.
Team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed, his voice barely holding up after exuberant victory celebrations, emphasized that the Asia Cup triumph was a collective achievement. “No single player or staff member wins a tournament alone. Success always comes from a combined effort. Every player and every member of the support staff played a role in lifting this trophy,” Sarfaraz said. Sarfaraz underlined that the focus would now shift to ironing out weaknesses ahead of the Under-19 World Cup.
“We are fully aware of the areas that need improvement. The upcoming Tri-series will be crucial in fine-tuning our combinations and addressing flaws before the World Cup,” he added. Responding to questions about the team’s balance, particularly the absence of a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder, head coach Shahid Anwar explained that pitch conditions in Dubai influenced selection decisions.
“When we arrived in Dubai, the surfaces were very different and more conducive to seam bowling. We do have an all-rounder in Danyal Khan. He bowled in a couple of matches but didn’t get a chance to bat. Hopefully, the Tri-series will allow us to test his full potential,” Shahid noted. The head coach also shed light on the exhaustive selection process that led to the final squad.
“We began with a pool of 70 players, reduced it to 30 after an ODI event, and then put them through intense training camps. From there, the best possible combination was selected for the Asia Cup,” he explained.
Shahid Anwar concluded by praising his players for their discipline, unity, and fearless approach. “We asked the boys to stay disciplined, play with belief, and trust each other. I am extremely proud that they followed every instruction and played fearless cricket. Their performance in the final was a perfect response.”
Pakistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup victory, achieved through belief, unity, and fearless intent, has not only brought silverware home but also strengthened hopes of a strong showing in the upcoming World Cup.
