![Sameer Minhas will feature for Pakistan in the U19 World Cup 2026 [Source: Aryaseen5911/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768214546635_SameerMinhasU19AsiaCup.jpg?type=hq)
Sameer Minhas will feature for Pakistan in the U19 World Cup 2026 [Source: Aryaseen5911/X.com]
We are days away from the U19 World Cup, where exciting talent from across the globe will get to showcase their prowess on a world stage, with millions of eyes on them. While a lot of people will be seeing how someone like Vaibhav Suryavanshi fares in the competition, many will also be keeping close tabs on Suryavanshi's Pakistan counterpart, Sameer Minhas.
The left-hand batter has already shown his class with a match-winning 172(113) against India in the recent U19 Asia Cup, and as the batter takes the world stage, he speaks highly of Pakistan's chances in the competition set to begin on January 15, whilst also revealing how his journey to the Pakistan U19 squad has been since childhood.
Minhas reminisces the journey so far as he eyes the big prize
While speaking to the Pakistan Cricket Board media team, the opening bat spoke about his father's influence in helping his love for the game turn into a substantial career. He revealed how his brother started playing first upon their father's insistance and Sameer followed his footsteps and also touched upon what it takes to represent the Men in Green.
"It has been a good journey. I started from the grassroots and focused on techniques and basics. I enjoyed every part of it. Representing Pakistan is not easy — it takes a lot of hard work, and expectations are always high. [On U19 Asia Cup Final] I just wanted to contribute to the team. I played normally, went slowly at first and focused on finding gaps. After a half-century, I thought if I accelerate a bit, it could become a hundred," he noted.
As he cherishes the early success he and his teammates have tasted in the U19 Asia Cup, followed by the tri-series win over Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, he has set an aim for himself to outplay all the players in the upcoming U19 World Cup and help his team lift the trophy for the first time since 2006.
"Our bonding is very strong. That unity helped us win titles. Our simple plan is to win the World Cup. Personally, my first goal is to win it for Pakistan. The second is to become the player of the tournament," he further stated.
Minhas' supreme form ahead of U19 World Cup
Heading into the U19 World Cup, which will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, the southpaw finds himself in a purple patch in Youth ODI cricket. Having started playing for Pakistan U19 in 2025, the batter has scored 654 runs in 9 innings at the top of the order. He has 3 centuries and two fifties to his name at a strike rate of 126.01.
As things stand, the most centuries in YODIs is 6 for Sami Aslam, followed by 5 each for Unmukt Chand and Towhid Hridoy, while some more players, including Shubman Gill, have four centuries to their name. A successful World Cup could etch his name in the history books, as this batch of Pakistan stars could become only the third Pakistani side to lift the U19 World Cup.
They are named in Group C alongside England, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe and will open their campaign against a formidable English side on January 16.
