ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced Rs 10 million cash award for each player of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team following their triumphant victory in the Asia Cup.
The prime minister who hosted a special luncheon in honour of the winning team said the team’s outstanding performance “won the hearts of 240 million Pakistanis and boosted the nation’s pride”.
PM Sharif congratulated the entire squad, coaching staff and team management and also announced Rs 2.5 million for each member of the management staff to recognize their efforts.
“The way you trained, played and handled pressure shows maturity beyond your age. You have brought great honour to Pakistan and proved that our future in cricket is bright,” the prime minister remarked.
He lauded the young players for their discipline, resilience and historic victory over India in the final, and added that the emphatic win against India carried special significance and symbolised Pakistan’s growing strength in youth cricket.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif specially praised the outstanding performers, including Samir Manaz for his superb batting display of 172 runs, Under-19 captain Farhan Yousuf Khan for his leadership, Ali Raza for his impactful wicket-taking spells, and Abdul Subhan for claiming 13 wickets during the tournament. He also acknowledged the contributions of all bowlers, batters, wicketkeepers, trainers and support staff.