The tension between the young stars of India and Pakistan has added new spice to the existing rivalry. In the latest attempt amid the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, Pakistan Under-19 opener Sameer Minhas took a sharp dig at India’s aggressive batting style as he indirectly dragged star opener Abhishek Sharma into the debate.
Samir Minhas has already made a reputation as a player who performs well in big matches. A few months ago, the 19-year-old batting sensation stunned Indian fans by scoring a record-breaking 172 runs in 113 balls against India in the Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. His innings led Pakistan to a famous title win, also declaring him as one of Pakistan’s brightest young talents.
Sameer Minhas took a subtle dig at Abhishek Sharma
Even though India and Pakistan are not in the same group in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, the possibility of a knockout clash between the arch-rivals is very real. Well, Minhas has already lit the fire by taking a dig at the ultra-aggressive approach of the Indian batsmen.
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Abhishek is known for attacking cricket fearlessly. He is aggressive from the first ball, using fast hands and high backlift and relying on timing and bat speed to dominate the bowlers, making him one of the world’s most dangerous young batsmen of this generation.
However, Minhas said that he is the complete opposite of the Indian batsman. He emphasized that his game is built on patience, planning and smart shot selection. Despite his ability to score big and fast, he believes in reading situations first and then accelerating.
Some people consider fearless cricket as ‘hit, hit, hit’: Sameer Minhas
“There is a trend these days to score runs at a fast pace and now we are seeing it in Tests as well. But I try to bide my time and build innings. Once settled, I am able to score runs quickly because I start in the middle and bowl the ball better. But you can’t attack every ball and play shots in a hurry as a top-order batsman,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Sameer Minhas as saying.
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Taking a dig at Abhishek, the Pakistani batsman stressed that true fearless cricket is not about blind hitting but selecting the right balls to attack and making the most of scoring opportunities. In an era where T20 cricket is inspiring young batsmen to play completely attacking cricket even in the longer formats, Minhas’ traditional and conservative approach has made him stand out.
The young batsman further added, “Some people think of fearless cricket as ‘hit, hit, hit’, but for me it is about maximizing my scoring opportunities. If a ball is in my field, whether it is first or last, I will attack it and make the most of it.”
Pakistan is going to achieve the glory of Under-19 World Cup after two decades, in such a situation all eyes are on Sameer Minhas.
It has been 20 years since Pakistan last won the Under-19 World Cup and now all eyes are on Minhas. Fans are hoping that the young star can help Pakistan win the title which brings a lot of pressure, but Minhas is calm and focused on the challenge ahead.
He signed off by saying, “I’m feeling quite confident because of my form and want to take it to the World Cup. I don’t focus on social media or what’s being said in the news, because I’m here to represent my country, and I don’t want to get distracted.”