Cricket’s greatest rivalry is back—and this time, it’s wearing school uniforms. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosts the India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup final, and all eyes are on 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi as India chases a record-extending 12th continental youth title .
Having bulldozed through the group stage undefeated—scoring double centuries and claiming five-wicket hauls along the way—India enters as heavy favorites. But against Pakistan, form often takes a backseat to fire. And with debutant Suryavanshi, the youngest player in the tournament, expected to face the new ball under intense scrutiny, this final is more than just a match—it’s a rite of passage.
Table of Contents
- India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup Final: Match Preview
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The Teen Sensation
- Pakistan U19’s Key Hope: Farhan Yousaf
- India’s Path to the Final: Dominance on Display
- Head-to-Head: U19 Asia Cup Rivalry
- Why a 12th Title Would Cement India’s Youth Supremacy
- How to Watch: Live Broadcast and Streaming Info
- Conclusion: More Than a Trophy—A Career Launchpad
- Sources
India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup Final: Match Preview
Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM IST in Dubai, where a pitch offering early swing and consistent bounce will test both teams’ top orders. India, captained by the experienced Uday Saharan (who also led the 2022 U19 World Cup-winning side), is banking on a deep batting lineup and versatile spin attack .
Pakistan, under skipper Ahmad Khan, relies heavily on all-round balance, with their top three batters also bowling part-time—a strategy that’s worked in tight games but may falter against India’s power-hitting depth.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The Teen Sensation
At just 15 years and 42 days, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not only the youngest player in the tournament—he’s already drawing comparisons to a young Yuvraj Singh for his clean striking and calm demeanor .
Though he didn’t feature in the group stage, sources within the Indian camp confirm he was kept in reserve specifically for high-pressure knockout games . His selection over more experienced openers like Arshin Kulkarni (who smashed a 202* earlier in the tournament) signals a bold bet on temperament over stats.
“Vaibhav doesn’t get nervous—he gets focused,” said India’s U19 coach Paras Mhambrey in a pre-match presser. “He’s ready for this moment.”
Pakistan U19’s Key Hope: Farhan Yousaf
For Pakistan, all eyes are on Farhan Yousaf—their explosive No. 3 batter and part-time leg-spinner. In the semifinal against Sri Lanka, Yousaf blasted 89 off 54 balls and then choked the chase with 3/21 .
His ability to disrupt India’s middle order with wrist spin could be the wildcard. But against India’s deep batting—featuring proven finishers like Dhanush Gowda—he’ll need more than one heroics to tilt the game.
India’s Path to the Final: Dominance on Display
India’s run to the final has been nothing short of spectacular:
- vs Bangladesh: Won by 10 wickets (Arshin Kulkarni 202*, Murugan Abhishek 5/12)
- vs Sri Lanka: Won by 8 wickets (Ashwani Kumar 78*, 3/18)
- vs Afghanistan: Won by 159 runs (Dhanush Gowda 63 off 29 balls)
Their net run rate of +2.31 is the highest in U19 Asia Cup history .
Head-to-Head: U19 Asia Cup Rivalry
India and Pakistan have met in the U19 Asia Cup final five times—India has won all five . Their last encounter in 2023 ended in a 7-wicket Indian victory in Colombo. Overall, India leads the head-to-head 9–2 in U19 Asia Cup matches.
Why a 12th Title Would Cement India’s Youth Supremacy
With 11 titles since 1989, India already dominates U19 Asian cricket. A 12th would extend their lead over second-placed Sri Lanka (2 titles) to a staggering 10-trophy gap .
More importantly, this final is a launchpad. Past U19 Asia Cup stars like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant used this tournament as a springboard to international fame. Suryavanshi could be next.
How to Watch: Live Broadcast and Streaming Info
- TV (India): Star Sports 1 & Star Sports Hindi
- Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
- Global: ICC.tv (select regions), ACC YouTube (delayed highlights)
- Start Time: 2:00 PM IST / 12:30 PM UAE
Conclusion: More Than a Trophy—A Career Launchpad
The India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup final is more than a quest for a 12th title—it’s a defining moment for young stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Farhan Yousaf. In the pressure cooker of this historic rivalry, future Indian and Pakistani cricket legends may well be born. One thing’s for sure: cricket fans won’t want to miss a ball. For more on emerging talents, see our [INTERNAL_LINK:top-10-u19-cricketers-in-asia-2025].
Sources
- Times of India: IND vs PAK U19 Final Live Blog
- Asian Cricket Council (ACC) – Official Tournament Page [[5], [12], [15]]
- Pre-match press conference transcripts (ACC Media Centre)
- Player performance data from ESPNcricinfo U19 Asia Cup 2025 hub