ISLAMABAD, Monday, December 22, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a cash award of Rs10 million for each player of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team in recognition of their emphatic victory in the Asia Cup, describing the triumph as a moment of immense national pride.

The prime minister hosted a special luncheon in honour of the victorious team, lauding their discipline, resilience and composure throughout the tournament. He also announced Rs2.5 million for each member of the team management and coaching staff to acknowledge their role in the squad’s success.

“You have won the hearts of 240 million Pakistanis and lifted the nation’s pride,” Prime Minister Sharif said. “The way you trained, played and handled pressure reflects maturity beyond your age. You have brought great honour to Pakistan and demonstrated that the future of our cricket is bright.”

He termed Pakistan’s decisive victory over India in the final as particularly significant, saying it symbolised the growing strength and confidence of Pakistan’s youth cricket structure.

The prime minister singled out several standout performers for special praise, including Samir Manaz for his remarkable innings of 172 runs, Under-19 captain Farhan Yousuf Khan for his leadership, Ali Raza for his impactful wicket-taking spells, and Abdul Subhan for finishing the tournament with 13 wickets. He also commended the collective contribution of batters, bowlers, wicketkeepers, trainers and support staff.

Prime Minister Sharif urged the young cricketers to remain focused and disciplined in the coming years to earn places in the national side, and prayed for their continued success.

Earlier, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the team’s professionalism and calm approach, particularly during the high-pressure final. Referring to provocations during the match, he said the players showed remarkable patience by keeping their focus strictly on cricket.

“We kept cricket and politics separate. Our boys did not react and remained committed to fair but fearless cricket. Allah rewarded their discipline with victory,” Naqvi said.

He also announced that work had begun on establishing a state-of-the-art High Performance Centre in Lahore, noting that the existing facility had become outdated. The new centre, he said, would offer modern training resources and significantly benefit emerging cricketers. “Within a few months, we will inaugurate a world-class facility to better prepare our players for international challenges,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Under-19 captain Farhan Yousuf Khan expressed gratitude to the prime minister and the PCB for their unwavering support. He said structured training camps and strong backing from the management played a crucial role in the team’s success.

“Even after setbacks, the management stood by us and boosted our confidence. We aim to carry this momentum into the upcoming tri-series and the World Cup,” he said.

Several players also shared their experiences, crediting the coaching staff for focused preparation over the past four to six months. They said technical improvements in bowling actions, length and consistency, along with mental conditioning, helped them perform under pressure.

The players thanked the PCB, coaches and support staff for organising effective training camps and fostering a positive team environment, adding that the warm reception and recognition at the highest level had further motivated them to strive for greater success in future international competitions.