• Pakistan U-19s return home after historic Asia Cup win over India.
• Young supporters sing patriotic songs, and celebrate despite cold.
• Children loudly cheer players as banners and hero anthems fill air.

ISLAMABAD: Riding high on a commanding 191-run thrashing of India in the Men’s ACC U19 Asia Cup final, Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team touched down in Islamabad on Monday, greeted by an exuberant and jubilant crowd.

Arrangements were made at Islamabad airport to welcome the newly crowned champions, with fans gathering outside the terminal, dancing to drumbeats and eagerly awaiting the team’s arrival after their emphatic title win in Dubai.

Fans showered rose petals on the young heroes as they emerged from the airport, draping rose garlands around their necks and cheering loudly for the team that had made history by smashing India to smithereens and bringing home a much-needed glory.

Groups of young fans were singing patriotic songs, chanting pro-team slogans, and exuding a glee akin to that of children in carefree frolic. 

Emotions were running high, with some older fans patting the players on the back, tears of joy in their eyes, as they prayed for Pakistan’s victory in the U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Despite it being a cold December night, some very warm scenes were witnessed outside the airport, with fans waving flags, cheering loudly, and calling out the names of their favourite players. 

Children perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a glimpse of the team, while supporters showered the heroes with rose petals and waved banners celebrating the historic win.

Pakistan sealed the U19 Asia Cup crown on Sunday after setting India a daunting 348-run target in the final at the ICC Academy. India were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs, undone by a relentless Pakistani bowling attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet the victorious squad later today, where the players who beat arch-rivals India will be formally congratulated and encouraged for their performance.

The triumph has sparked celebrations among fans, who hailed the young side for their composure, dominance and fearless display on the big stage.

The Men in Blue got off to a contrasting start to the pursuit as their batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, knitted a quickfire 32-run opening partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who could score two before falling victim to Ali Raza in the fourth over.

Mohammad Sayyam gave Pakistan another success and an over later by dismissing top-order batter Aaron George (16), who had scored a match-winning half-century against the Green Shirts in the group-stage clash last Sunday.

Meanwhile, renowned cricketers, politicians, and fans across the country also hailed Pakistan in the loudest of words for routing India by 191 runs to clinch the U19 Asia Cup title.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also joined the nation in celebrating this historic victory, praising the young players. 

He described their performance against arch-rivals India as “electrifying,” calling it a landmark moment for the future of cricket in the country.

Shortly after Pakistan sealed the title in Dubai, PM Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement with millions of fans across the nation:

“An electrifying performance by Team Pakistan. Shahbash. Heartiest congratulations to our Under-19 team on winning the ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2025, defeating India in the final. The nation is proud of you. My deep appreciation to Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts,” he wrote.

Virgil van Dijk has revealed he has spoken with Xavi Simons after the midfielder’s red card challenge in Liverpool‘s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and insisted his international teammate did not intend to hurt him.

Simons was dismissed in the first half of Tottenham’s clash with Arne Slot’s side after a VAR review showed the 22-year-old had raked his studs down the back of Van Dijk’s calf. His dismissal opened the door for Liverpool to secure a win that moves them up to fifth in the Premier League table, while Spurs dropped to 13th.

“I don’t think there was any intention to hurt me but obviously he hurt me and then the referee and the VAR made the decision to send him off,” Van Dijk said. “I spoke to him. It’s a chat that no-one needs to know.”

Liverpool’s victory came at a price, with forward Alexander Isak being forced off the pitch just moments after scoring the visitors’ opening goal in north London. The 26-year-old looked in a great deal of pain following a coming together with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, and the Reds now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of his injury.

“Injuries unfortunately are part of football and hopefully with Alex it’s not too bad,” Van Dijk said. “He scored a great goal. It’s too soon after the game to know [the extent of it]. He will need to be assessed.

“We all saw how bad it looked with Alex but hopefully it won’t be too bad.”

Liverpool are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions but came close to conceding a last-minute equaliser against nine-men Spurs, who finished the game strongly.

Reflecting on the performance, Van Dijk said: “The immediate reaction coming off was that it was a chaotic last five to 10 minutes. It wasn’t great but to get the three points is massive. There was nothing wrong up to us conceding a goal. We need to analyse the last part but personally I’m very pleased and it’s on to the next one.

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“When you concede a goal and their fans get behind them like they did, it’s never easy to make the right decisions and find the right solutions. That’s something we can improve but I don’t think it’s worrying. It’s a transition and we need to keep getting better.”

The Dutchman added: “Winning more, getting results, is always positive. Losing games, especially at a club like Liverpool, is always bad. For us it’s about staying calm. Taking each game as it comes.

“Today we won. Now we have a couple of days off. We will recover and then we will focus on Wolves. It will be a tough game. I saw their game against Spurs. Wolves will make it difficult for us and we have to be ready for that.

“First we have Christmas. Being with your family and being healthy are the most important things in life.”

Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a partial ACL tear in training on Saturday.

Christensen, 29, made his first start since September in Tuesday’s Copa del Rey tie against Guadalajara, scoring the first goal in the 2-0 win.

However, Barça say he suffered an “unfortunate twist of the knee” this weekend, ruling him out of Sunday’s LaLiga game against Villarreal and for the foreseeable future.

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“After tests carried out on the player, a conservative course of treatment has been chosen,” the club said in a short statement. “The player’s recovery time will depend on his development.”

It’s the latest in a string of injuries Christensen, who is out of contract next summer, has suffered over the last two years.

The Danish centre-back was limited to just six appearances in all competitions last season, mainly due to an Achilles problem, while a calf injury sidelined him earlier in the current campaign.

Prior to that, he had made 74 appearances in his first two years at the club after joining from Chelsea on a free transfer, playing a key role as Barça won LaLiga in 2022-23. Christensen’s injury leaves Barça short in the middle of defence, with Ronald Araújo also currently absent after being granted a mental health break.

Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín, a converted full-back, are currently the preferred centre-back pairing, but Jules Koundé and Eric García are also options to play there if required.

The shortage could see Barça turn to the transfer market in January. A source told ESPN earlier this month that, providing Araújo returns to action in 2026, they would not be active mid-season, but Christensen’s injury could change that stance.