Pakistan’s new U19 sensation, Sameer Minhas has taken the cricketing world by storm not just with his bat but also with a bold personal choice as he openly favored Babar Azam over modern day legend Virat Kohli as his inspiration.
Samir Minhas insulted Virat Kohli after their phenomenal campaign in the U19 Asia Cup 2025, and it has now added new fuel to the India-Pakistan rivalry while dividing fans online.
After delivering one of the most impressive performances ever seen in the U19 Asia Cup 2025, the teenage batting sensation made it clear who he admires the most, and it is not Virat Kohli.
What did Sameer Minhas say about Virat Kohli?
The young batsman did not hesitate and openly described Babar Azam as his biggest inspiration. Virat Kohli is often praised by youngsters across the world, but Pakistan’s budding middle-order batsman ignored the Indian batting sensation and named Babar as his favorite cricketer.
According to Geo News report, when he was asked about his favorite Pakistani cricketer, he said, “Babar Azam is my favorite player in the Pakistan cricket team.”
Also read: Virat Kohli’s Chinnaswamy return for VHT soured, Karnataka government imposes ban
The statement attracted attention because of its timing. This came after Pakistan’s impressive 191-run victory over India U19 in the Asia Cup final, a match in which Minhas was the undisputed star.
The timing made Sameer’s bold comment even more dramatic as he played a key role in Pakistan’s massive 191-run win over India U19 in the final of the U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Minhas had a record-breaking tournament and played a key role in Pakistan’s title win.
Samir Minhas’ impressive U19 Asia Cup 2025 campaign
The right-handed batsman finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 471 runs in just five matches at an impressive average of 157 and a strike rate of 117.45. Showing the same hunger for big scores as Kohli, he scored two centuries and a half-century.
His most brutal innings came against Malaysia U19, where he scored an unbeaten 177 and dismantled the bowling attack with ease. Minhas made the final statement in the high-voltage India vs Pakistan encounter in the final.
Sameer Minhas’ heroics in U19 Asia Cup final
On the biggest stage, against the fiercest of rivals, the 19-year-old played a breathtaking inning of 172 runs off 113 balls. He tore apart the Indian attack with the help of 17 fours and 9 sixes, helping Pakistan post a massive score of 347/8 in 50 overs, with Ahmed Hussain contributing 56 runs in 72 balls.
Chasing the target, the pressure proved too much for India U19 and Pakistan bowlers continued to hunt them down. They were out for just 156 runs in 26.2 overs. Young fast bowler Ali Raza led the demolition with a remarkable spell of 4/42 against the young Indian team.
Also read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi teased by Pakistani fans after U19 Asia Cup final; 14 year old child’s reaction goes viral
Sameer Minhas said, “My favorite player from the Pakistan team is only one, and that is Babar Azam. (Hum News) pic.twitter.com/ocqJxlZ4fS
– Junaz (@dhilllow_) 23 December 2025
Sameer Minhas’ downfall will begin from this moment.
– NiiK (@Niiki099) 23 December 2025
Sameer Minhas’ downfall will begin from this moment.
– NiiK (@Niiki099) 23 December 2025
Sameer Minhas ji but Babar Azam never/never won any ICC match? So, what have you learned from Babar? His strike rate/style drives DOT at times, slow stater? Many ducks in his name? No doubt he has had a good scoring record in the past, but not currently?
– Hafeez Sheikh Sheikh (@HafeezShei99610) 23 December 2025
Another young gun Babar Azam falls for Abha
U19 Asia Cup star Sameer Minhas named Babar Azam as his favorite Pakistani batsman. pic.twitter.com/dYTPqlUnzG
– Abubakar Khan (@abubakarmemer) 23 December 2025
Sameer Minhas said, “Babar Azam is my favorite player in the Pakistan team.”#BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/zZkuKU9S4e
-Shoaib Akhtar (@MashhoodZo80732) 23 December 2025
Sameer Minhas has said that his favorite player is Babar Azam @babarazam258 is a role model for the youth @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/LLufJHaHsw
– sport (@sport958619) 23 December 2025
Virat Kohli Sameer Minhas #ViratKohli #sameerminhas
– Anmol Rai (@anmolr14) 21 December 2025
