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Pakistan U19 mentor Sarfaraz calls India’s conduct ‘unethical’ in Asia Cup final | The Express Tribune
Sarfaraz Ahmed praises his own side for responding with professionalism and sportsmanship
Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be performing managerial duties in the upcoming edition of HBL Pakistan Super League season 10. Photo: PSL
Pakistan Under-19 cricket team mentor and former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has strongly criticised India’s conduct during the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 final, describing it as “unethical” and contrary to the spirit of the game, while praising his own side for responding with professionalism and sportsmanship.
Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance in the final, defending a mammoth 348-run target and bowling India out for 156 in 26.2 overs to clinch their maiden ACC U19 Asia Cup title with a resounding 191-run victory at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
Speaking at a media conference in Islamabad after the triumph, Sarfaraz did not hold back while addressing India’s on-field behaviour during the blockbuster clash.
“India’s behaviour during the game was not good, and their conduct was unethical,” Sarfaraz said. “However, we celebrated the victory with sportsmanship because cricket should always be played in the right spirit. What India did is their own action.”
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy-winning captain also revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a substantial cash reward to honour the young champions.
“The Prime Minister has announced a reward of Rs10 million for each player, and in the future, these young cricketers will make the country proud,” Sarfaraz added.
Following their historic success, the Pakistan Under-19 squad received a hero’s welcome in Islamabad. On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted a luncheon in their honour, personally congratulating the players and management for their landmark achievement. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and several federal ministers were also in attendance, highlighting the significance of Pakistan’s triumph on the continental stage.
Sarfaraz lauded the team’s collective effort in the final, singling out key batting contributions that laid the foundation for the massive total. While Sameer Minhas stole the spotlight with a breathtaking 172 off 113 balls, featuring 17 fours and nine sixes, Sarfaraz emphasised the importance of middle-order batter Ahmed Hussain’s composed innings.
“Ahmed Hussain’s knock was as important as Sameer Minhas’ innings,” Sarfaraz said, referring to Ahmed’s 56 off 72 deliveries, which included three fours and a six and helped Pakistan maintain momentum in the middle overs.
Head coach Shahid Anwar echoed Sarfaraz’s sentiments and shed light on the extensive preparation that underpinned Pakistan’s dominant campaign in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025.
“We began a talent hunt on June 17, with nearly seventy players participating in trials,” Anwar explained. “Each player was given four matches to prove himself. Those who performed consistently were invited to the final camp.”
The final ten-day training camp, held in Karachi, featured involvement from former Pakistan cricketers who worked closely with the squad to fine-tune skills and build mental resilience.
“When we left Pakistan, our goal was clear,” Anwar added. “We wanted to win the trophy and also win the hearts of cricket fans—and I believe we achieved both.”
The emphatic victory over arch-rivals India not only secured Pakistan’s first ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup title, but also reinforced the country’s growing strength at junior level. With a blend of fearless batting, disciplined bowling and strong leadership off the field, Pakistan’s young cricketers have laid down a powerful marker for the future of Pakistan cricket.
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It’s NBA playoff time.
Let’s take a look at the latest NBA title futures at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 12.
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NBA Finals winner 2025-26 season
Oklahoma City Thunder: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
New York Knicks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Detroit Pistons: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Here is what to know about the NBA title oddsboard:
West Update: The two teams favored to win the title both reside in the Western Conference: OKC and San Antonio. The Thunder swept the Suns in Round 1 and swept the Lakers in Round 2, while the Spurs gave up just a single game to Portland in the first round and are tied 2-2 with Minnesota in the second round. While the Thunder pulled off a second straight sweep, the Spurs are in a dogfight.
East Update: The Knicks have become the class of the conference, having won seven consecutive playoff games. They finished off a sweep of Philly in the second round, and apparently can’t be stopped. As for the East’s top seed, the Pistons, they are tied with the Cavs 2-2. Neither team has been able to get a win in the others’ home arena in that series.
Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali completed 100 Test wickets, becoming the oldest player in history to reach the milestone during the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
He claimed the milestone by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, joining an elite group of Pakistan bowlers and becoming the ninth spinner and 20th overall to achieve the feat.
The left-arm spinner also picked up the crucial wickets of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam.
At 39 years and 217 days, Noman became the oldest player in Test history to reach the 100-wicket milestone. He surpassed former England spinner Bobby Peel, who reached the mark in 1896 at the age of 39 years and 180 days.
The 39-year-old also reached another landmark by becoming the joint fourth-fastest Pakistan bowler to claim 100 Test wickets, achieving the feat in his 22nd Test match.
England great George Lohmann holds the world record for the fastest to 100 Test wickets, having reached the milestone in just 16 matches, while several Pakistan bowlers also feature among the quickest to the landmark.
Oldest players to reach 100 Test wickets
- Noman Ali (Pakistan) – 39y 217d
- Bobby Peel (England) – 39y 180d
- Ray Illingworth (England) – 39y 30d
- Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) – 39y 22d
- Sydney Barnes (England) – 38y 310d
Fastest Pakistani bowlers to 100 Test wickets
- Yasir Shah – 17 matches
- Saeed Ajmal – 19 matches
- Waqar Younis – 20 matches
- Mohammad Asif – 20 matches
- Noman Ali – 22 matches*
- Fazal Mahmood – 22 matches
- Saqlain Mushtaq – 23 matches
Sports
Craig Morton, quarterback who led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance, dead at 83
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Former Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton, who was inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame, died on Saturday. He was 83.
Morton was critical in helping the Broncos reach their first-ever playoff appearance, ultimately getting them to Super Bowl XII during the 1977 campaign.
After going 12-2 during the season, and getting wins in the playoffs over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-Oakland Raiders, Morton was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Year.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton stands on the sidelines with both hands on his hips. (GETTY)
“Craig Morton is unbelievable,” fellow Ring of Famer Haven Moses said after the Broncos won the AFC Championship in 1978, per the New York Times. “To me, he’s the most valuable player in the National Football League.”
Morton also won Sporting News Player of the Year, the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and the NFL UPI MVP in 1977.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF quarterback Craig Morton, who died on Saturday at the age of 83,” the Broncos posted on social media.
Morton also led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise. He finished his career in Denver with 11,895 passing yards, which marked the most in franchise history at the time.
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Quarterback Craig Morton #7 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., circa 1978. Morton played for the Broncos from 1977 to 1982. (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
Morton also led the Broncos with pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907). But Morton’s time with the Broncos was the latter half of his NFL career.
He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, the fifth overall pick out of Cal. Morton spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Cowboys, where he threw for 10,279 yards with 80 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He went 32-14-1 in his time with Dallas.
Then, during the 1974 season, Morton was moved to the New York Giants, a division rival of the Cowboys. He went 1-6 in his first seven starts that year and wouldn’t find much success in New York across three seasons.
Quarterback Craig Morton #7 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., circa 1978. Morton played for the Broncos from 1977 to 1982. (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
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For his career, Morton threw for 27,908 yards with 183 touchdowns. He owned an 81-62-1 record across 207 games.
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