DUBAI: Pakistan Under-19 cricket team celebrated a historic 191-run victory over India to claim the Asia Cup title, a triumph that owes as much to quiet development work as on-field heroics. While Sarfraz Ahmed stood at the forefront during the celebrations, it was former captain Azhar Ali who quietly laid the foundation for this success.
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Azhar, who turned down a seat on Pakistan’s national selection committee in November 2024, focused instead on youth development, believing the biggest impact comes at the age-group level. Despite instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board, he improvised a selection process, organized skills camps, and emphasized fitness, discipline, mental strength, and off-field development such as media handling and communication skills.
After preparing the squad, Azhar stepped aside, passing responsibility to Sarfraz, who oversaw the final stages of the Asia Cup campaign. The team, nurtured patiently over months, dominated throughout the tournament, with opener Sameer Minhas and pacer Ali Raza leading the charge.
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For Azhar, the victory represents a checkpoint, not a destination. His philosophy underscores the importance of process, patience, and investing in the next generation — a “quieter, harder path” that promises to shape Pakistan cricket for years to come as the U-19 World Cup approaches.