Sameer Minhas is fast emerging as the brightest new name in Pakistan’s junior cricket, and his recent run of performances has turned him into one of the most exciting prospects ahead of the ICC U19 World Cup.
On January 6, 2026, in Harare, the right-handed batter produced a record-breaking innings to lead Pakistan Under-19 to a nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe Under-19 in the final of the tri-series.
Chasing 159, Sameer smashed 114 off just 51 balls with 17 fours and five sixes and finished the match in only 16.2 overs.
He reached his hundred in 42 balls, setting a new benchmark at U19 level and surpassing the previous record held by India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
This was not an isolated performance. The century was his second of the tri-series and part of a remarkable run of form.
In recent matches, Sameer has scored 177 not out against Malaysia U19, 172 against India U19, 142 against Zimbabwe U19, and 114 in the final.
He has also added valuable contributions of 69 not out, 56, 48 and 44 in the same period showing both consistency and explosive ability.
In the final, he shared a 145-run opening stand with Mohammad Shayan and turned a tense chase into a one-sided contest.
Only a month earlier, he played a key role in Pakistan’s U19 Asia Cup triumph where the team crushed India in the final.
With back-to-back titles already in hand and a string of big scores behind him, Sameer Minhas now heads into the U19 World Cup as one of Pakistan’s biggest hopes and one of the most talked-about young batters in the tournament.
