It had Champions Trophy 2017 written all over it, as Ahmed Hussain bucketed a skier at point to dismiss India’s Deepesh Divendran and seal Pakistan’s maiden U-19 Asia Cup title.

Just like that fateful day at the Oval in London, an opener fired with all guns blazing and the pace spearhead routed the Indian top order. The script was nearly the same, the personnel different — apart from one man. Sarfraz Ahmed.

Eight years after leading a youthful Pakistan side to Champions Trophy glory, Sarfraz once again found himself at the heart of a defining Pakistan-India moment. This time, he wasn’t wearing pads or gloves. Instead, he stood on the sidelines, mentoring a group of teenagers as they rose to become Asia’s Under-19 kings.

Interestingly, the last time Pakistan won an U-19 title — without sharing the trophy — was back in 2006. That side, too, was captained by Sarfraz. So, when the celebrations officially commenced, Sarfraz’s legacy was impossible to ignore. Ecstatic fans, former cricketers, media experts, and administrators alike were united in praise. The Champions Trophy-winning captain was receiving applause from all directions. It was, unquestionably, Sarfraz’s moment to bask in glory.

Pakistan’s U-19 cricket team were recently crowned kings after comprehensively beating India in the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup. This is the story of how a former captain chose process, patience and conviction to make this team

But the bunch of boys who brought him that praise had been nurtured long before he arrived — raised quietly, methodically and patiently, when no one was watching them. Not even Sarfraz himself. That work was carried out by another former Pakistan skipper — less celebrated perhaps, but no less significant in stature.

In November 2024, Azhar Ali was offered a seat on Pakistan’s national selection committee.

For many former captains, it would have been a logical step — authority, influence and visibility at the highest level. Azhar turned it........

© Dawn (Magazines)