By Eman Alam
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced Rs 10 million cash award for each player of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team following their triumphant victory in the Asia Cup.
The prime minister who hosted a special luncheon in honour of the winning team said the team’s outstanding performance “won the hearts of 240 million Pakistanis and boosted the nation’s pride”.
PM Sharif congratulated the entire squad, coaching staff and team management and also announced Rs 2.5 million for each member of the management staff to recognize their efforts.
“The way you trained, played and handled pressure shows maturity beyond your age. You have brought great honour to Pakistan and proved that our future in cricket is bright,” the prime minister remarked.
He lauded the young players for their discipline, resilience and historic victory over India in the final, and added that the emphatic win against India carried special significance and symbolised Pakistan’s growing strength in youth cricket.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif specially praised the outstanding performers, including Samir Manaz for his superb batting display of 172 runs, Under-19 captain Farhan Yousuf Khan for his leadership, Ali Raza for his impactful wicket-taking spells, and Abdul Subhan for claiming 13 wickets during the tournament. He also acknowledged the contributions of all bowlers, batters, wicketkeepers, trainers and support staff.
He prayed for the team’s continued success and urged them to remain focused over the next few years to earn places in the national side.
Earlier, Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the team’s composure and professionalism, particularly in the final. Referring to provocations during the match, he said the players showed remarkable patience and maturity by focusing solely on the game.
“We kept cricket and politics separate. Our boys did not react and stayed committed to fair but fearless cricket. Allah rewarded their discipline with victory,” he said.
Mohsin Naqvi also announced that work had begun on establishing a most modern High Performance Centre in Lahore, saying the existing facility had become outdated. He said the new centre would provide modern training resources and significantly benefit emerging cricketers. “In a few months, we will inaugurate a world-class facility that will help these players prepare for international challenges,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Under-19 captain Farhan Yousuf Khan thanked the prime minister and the Pakistan Cricket Board for their encouragement and support. He said well-structured training camps and strong backing from the management played a crucial role in the team’s success. “Even after a loss, the management stood by us and boosted our confidence. We will carry this momentum into the upcoming tri-series and the World Cup,” he said.
Several players also shared their experiences, crediting the coaching staff for focused training over the past four to six months. They said technical work on bowling actions, length and consistency, along with mental conditioning, helped them perform under pressure. One bowler noted that belief in the process, hard work and clear game plans were key to his success in the tournament.
The players expressed gratitude to the PCB, coaches and support staff for organising effective camps and creating a positive team environment. They said the warm reception and recognition at the highest level had further motivated them to work harder and aim for greater success in future international events.
