Sarfaraz Ahmed, a former ICC title-winning captain, was the focus of Pakistan's overwhelming 191-run victory over India in the U19 Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.  

The senior wicketkeeper-batsman, who is the U19 team's manager, was so popular that a Pakistan fan approached PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi after the match and encouraged him to pledge ahead of the T20 World Cup.

This is the third time Pakistan has defeated India in a final with Sarfaraz involved. Back in 2004, he led Pakistan to a 38-run victory against India in the ICC World Cup final in Colombo. Sarfaraz captained the senior team to a historic Champions Trophy victory over India at The Oval in 2017.

On Sunday, at the ICC Academy Ground, the 38-year-old watched from the dugout as a mentor as Pakistan U19 outclassed India in a one-sided final, reclaiming the Asia Cup title for the first time in 13 years and only the second time in their history.

Following the win, a video went viral on social media showing a Pakistani fan stopping Naqvi on his way out of the Dubai venue.

The fan is heard saying, “Sarfaraz kabhi dhoka nahi deta” (“Sarfaraz never lets you down”), a popular dialogue from the Bollywood film PK.

“He won you the Champions Trophy in 2017. Today, we won another title. Please make him the mentor for the T20 World Cup (2026). Please,” he added.