Following Pakistan's U19 team's victory over India in the U19 Asia Cup final, team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed is addressing a controversy stemming from a comment he made during the match. The comment, caught on a hot mic, was directed towards his players, urging them to maintain decorum and not to "behave like ill-mannered people". The Urdu phrase he used was "jahilon ki tarah jahil nahi hona," which translates to "don't be ignorant like ignorant people".
The remark quickly went viral, sparking debate on social media about its intended target. Many fans interpreted Sarfaraz's words as a reaction to the aggressive behavior displayed by some Indian players during the high-pressure final. Instances cited include heated exchanges between players after dismissals. One such incident involved Pakistani pacer Ali Raza and Indian batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi. After dismissing Suryavanshi, Raza celebrated exuberantly, leading to a verbal altercation. Similar exchanges reportedly occurred after Mohammad Sayyam dismissed Vedant Trivedi.
Sarfaraz Ahmed has since defended his statement, asserting that it was a general reminder to his team to maintain sportsmanship and not to stoop to what he considered unethical conduct. He stated that his intention was to encourage his players to celebrate respectfully, regardless of the opposition's behavior.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sarfaraz has openly criticized the Indian team's overall conduct during the final, labeling it as "unethical" and against the spirit of the game. He highlighted the fact that the Indian team refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match and collected their runners-up medals from an ICC associate member official, allegedly ignoring the presence of ACC and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This mirrors similar incidents that occurred during the senior Asia Cup 2025, where Indian players avoided post-match handshakes.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young Indian opener, has found himself at the center of the controversy, facing criticism for his performance in the final and his on-field behavior. After a strong start to the tournament, Suryavanshi struggled in the final against Pakistan. His dismissal for just 5 runs in the U19 Asia Cup match against Pakistan was met with wild celebrations from the Pakistani side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly requested a performance review from the team management following the U19 Asia Cup final loss. The review likely encompasses not only the team's performance but also the conduct of the players on and off the field. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed is being hailed as a "lucky charm" in Pakistan after coaching the U19 team to victory. He had previously led Pakistan to victory in the U19 World Cup in 2006 and the Champions Trophy in 2017.
