BCCI to review India U19 performance after Pakistan defeat

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to review the India U19 team’s performance following a crushing defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final, Cricbuzz reported on Monday.

Pakistan clinched the ACC U19 Asia Cup title emphatically, defending a mammoth 348-run target by bundling out India for just 156 in 26.2 overs, sealing a commanding 191-run win.

Sameer Minhas top-scored with a sensational 172 off 113 deliveries, including 17 fours and nine sixes.

In bowling, Ali Raza took a four-wicket haul while Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, and Mohammad Sayyam contributed with two wickets each.

According to the report, the move followed an online Apex meeting in which board members scrutinized the team’s overall performance in the tournament.

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“The decision was taken at an online Apex Council meeting on Monday (December 22) evening, where members discussed the team’s overall showing in the tournament and felt there was a need to seek explanations from the team management,” the statement from the report quoted.

The report further details that BCCI is set to hold talks with the head coach, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and the skipper, Ayush Mhatre, highlighting the unusual scrutiny.

The report also states that with the Under-19 World Cup in a few days, the BCCI wants to address issues early to avoid any setbacks heading into the mega event.

For the unversed, the U19 World Cup will be held from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

The tournament will continue with its familiar format: 16 teams, four groups, 41 matches, and a Super Six stage leading into semi-finals and a final.

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