Tag: U19 World Cup 2026

HARARE: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s imperious knock, backed by a disciplined bowling effort, powered India to a 100-run victory over England in the U19 World Cup final here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Set a daunting target of 412, England were bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs.

With this, India is now cut above the rest of the teams at the junior level, winning the trophy for the record sixth time.

Notably, the final against India was India’s 11th appearance in the summit clash of the U19 World Cup.

England were jolted early in a steep chase, with India bowlers removing the opener Joseph Moores for 17 in the fifth over.

After an early blow, Ben Mayes and Ben Dawkins added a 74-run stand for the second wicket to put the chase back on track.

The pair brought the team’s total to 93 at the end of the 13 overs. However, Indian bowlers struck back, sending back set batter Mayes. He made 45 from 28 with the help of two sixes and seven fours.

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Despite the wicket, England progressed with another partnership between Thomas Rew and Ben Dawkins.

The stand eventually culminated in the 18th over in the form of Dawkins wicket, who made 66 from 56, striking seven fours and two sixes.

After the wicket, India got a foothold on the match and never allowed England to make a comeback in the final. Consequently, the English side slumped to 177-7 from 142-3 in 22 overs.

With the required run rate rising, England were too much behind the game despite a valiant stand between Calob Falconer and James Minto.

The pair added 92 and demonstrated a fight-back, but the target proved too much for them. Falconer played an eye-catching knock, scoring a sublime innings.

The all-rounder hit seven sixes and nine fours in his 115 from 67 balls before getting caught in the 40th over.

For India, RS Ambrish was the top-wicket taker, picking up three wickets. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan took a brace.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, India racked up 411-9 in their 50 overs, thanks to  Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 175 from just 80 balls.

After losing Aaron George for nine in the third over, Sooryavanshi was joined by skipper Ayush Mhatre, adding up a 142-run stand for the second wicket partnership.

The pair took the team’s India total to 162 from 20 in 19 overs. Ayush Mhatre departed after scoring 53 off 51 with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi carried on and hit towering sixes to complete his record-shattering century.

He was involved in a partnership for a quick-fire 89 run stand off just 39, powering his side into a dominant position.

The left-hander’s innings finally ended when India were 261 in 25.3 overs. He made 175 from 80 balls, pepped with 15 sixes and 1`5 fours.

India eventually ended their innings on a massive score with some other notable contributions from the middle-order batter, notably Kanishk Chouhan, who struck  three fours and a six on his way to 37 from 20 balls.

For England, James Minto remained the stand out bowler with threee wickets to his name.

READ: Sooryavanshi breaks Babar’s record with 175 against England

HARARE: India opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi surpassed Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s record with a scintillating 175 off 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final against England here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

The left-handed batter was instrumental in India’s 411-run total against England in 50 overs. He shattered numerous U19 records with his imperious knocks, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes.

Vaibhav, 14 years and 316 days old, became the youngest player to score a U19 World Cup century, shattering Babar Azam’s record set against West Indies in 2010.

Babar was 15 years and 92 days old when he notched up a century.

Besides Babar’s record, Sooryavanshi also broke several other notable records, showcasing his batting prowess.

The 175-run masterpiece is now the highest score by any batter in an ICC tournament final, either at the U19 or senior level.

It is also the highest individual score in a final or even any knockout game in Youth ODIs, surpassing the previous record of 172 by Sameer Minhas in an Asia Cup final.

The southpaw also overtakes Raj Bawa’s 162 not out to become India’s highest scorer in Under-19 World Cups.

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Additionally, this innings ranks as the second-highest score for India in Youth ODIs, only behind Ambati Rayudu’s 177 not out against England in 2002.

His 15 sixes are the most ever in a Youth ODI innings, breaking his own previous record of 14 sixes against the UAE in December.

Remarkably, Sooryavanshi has now hit ten or more sixes on five separate occasions in Youth ODIs, while all other batters combined have done it only three times.

His 150 runs purely came from boundaries, another record, surpassing Hasitha Boyagoda’s 124-run record in a Youth ODI innings.

Sooryavanshi’s total of 30 boundaries matches the joint-most in a Youth ODI innings, equalling Boyagoda’s 28 fours and two sixes.

The innings also showcased blistering speed, with 150 runs coming off just 71 balls, setting the record for the fastest individual 150 in Youth ODIs.

His 55-ball century is the second-fastest in U-19 World Cup history, behind Will Malajczuk’s 51-ball ton, and marks the fifth-fastest hundred in Youth ODIs overall.

READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shatters multiple records with 175 in U19 World Cup final

HARARE: India’s batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a sensational innings of 175 to dominate the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 final against England at Harare Sports Club on Friday, smashing multiple records in the process.

Opening alongside Aaron George (9), Sooryavanshi unleashed a whirlwind 80-ball knock that featured 15 sixes and 15 fours, putting India in complete control and helping them cross the 250-run mark in just 25 overs before falling to Manny Lumsden.

The 175-run masterpiece has set new benchmarks across Youth ODI cricket. It is now the highest score by any batter in an ICC tournament final, either at the U19 or senior level.

It is also the highest individual score in a final or even any knockout game in Youth ODIs, surpassing the previous record of 172 by Sameer Minhas in an Asia Cup final.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also overtakes Raj Bawa’s 162 not out to become India’s highest scorer in Under-19 World Cups.

This innings ranks as the second-highest score for India in Youth ODIs, only behind Ambati Rayudu’s 177 not out against England in 2002.

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His 15 sixes are the most ever in a Youth ODI innings, breaking his own previous record of 14 sixes against the UAE in December.

Remarkably, Sooryavanshi has now hit ten or more sixes on five separate occasions in Youth ODIs, while all other batters combined have done it only three times.

He scored 150 runs purely from boundaries, another record, surpassing Hasitha Boyagoda’s 124-run record in a Youth ODI innings.

Sooryavanshi’s total of 30 boundaries matches the joint-most in a Youth ODI innings, equalling Boyagoda’s 28 fours and two sixes.

The innings also showcased blistering speed, with 150 runs coming off just 71 balls, setting the record for the fastest individual 150 in Youth ODIs.

His 55-ball century is the second-fastest in U-19 World Cup history, behind Will Malajczuk’s 51-ball ton, and marks the fifth-fastest hundred in Youth ODIs overall.

READ: ‘Babar, Fakhar can be dropped,’ Agha insists on merit-based selection

HARARE: Dominant India humbled Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second semi-final of the U19 World Cup 2026 to secure a place in the final for the record 10th time here at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

India breezed past Afghanistan to chase a 311-run target in 41.1 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.

This was also the highest target chased in the U19 Men’s World Cup’s history.

The foundation of chasing down a big total was laid by openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, adding 90 in just 9.3 overs.

Sooryavanshi played the core aggressor role with a quick-fire 68 from just 33 balls, including four sixes and nine fours.

After his departure, Aaron George, alongside the skipper Ayush Mhatre, held the innings together with a mammoth 114 run parntership that took the game away from Afghanistan.

The pair brought the team’s total to 204 in 26.2 overs. The stand was eventually broken with Mhatre’s wicket, who made 62 off 59 with the help of four sixes and five fours.

Meanwhile, George continued on and went on to score a century. He was involved in another stand of 96 runs with Vihaan Malhotra that put them on the cusp of a victory.

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The right-hander was eventually dismissed when India’s scorecard read 300 in 39.3 overs. He made 115 from 104 balls peppered with 15 fours and two sixes.

Vihaan Malhotra remained unbeaten on 38 from 47, striking three fours that ensured India crossed the finishing line without a major hiccup.

For Afghanistan, Nooristani Omarzai picked up two wickets.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up 310-4 in 50 overs.

Afghanistan’s openers provided a steady start with a 53-run partnership in 12.2 overs.

After the opening wicket, Faisal Shinozada put on a 64-run partnership with Khalid Ahmadzai, who made 31.

The highlight of the Afghanistan innings was 148 run stand between Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada. The pair took the score from 117 to 265 in 45.5 overs.

Shinozada was cleaned bowled after scoring 110 from 93 with the aid of 15 fours.

Meanwhile, Uzairullah Niazai marched on, scoring an unbeaten century which put Afghanistan into a commanding position. Niazai scored 101 from 86, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

For India, Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran scalped two apiece.

READ: T20 World Cup: Pakistan-Ireland warm-up fixture washed out

BULAWAYO: India outplayed Pakistan by 58 runs to secure a place in the semi-final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

Set to chase 253 in 33.3 overs, Pakistan were effectively out of the contest by the 24th over due to their cautious approach, whereas a middle-order collapse eventually saw them lose the match.

With a steep task required, Pakistan needed a strong opening foundation; however, the openers’ wickets fell with only 23 on the board in 3.4 overs.

The breakout star for Pakistan, Sameer Minhas, managed nine from 11 balls.

After an early hiccup, Usman Khan and Hamza Zahoor put the chase back on track with a 60-run partnership from 80 balls.

The pair brought the team’s total to 88 at the end of 17 overs.

Kanishk Chouhan provided India the much-needed breakthrough in the shape of Zahoor’s wicket, who was bowled after scoring 42 from 49 balls with the help of eight fours.

Despite the wicket, Pakistan continued on as skipper Farhan Yousaf and Usman Khan added another 63 runs for the third wicket.

RS Ambrish picked up the wicket of Yousaf to break the stand, a wicket that sparked a collapse from which Pakistan could not recover.

The skipper made 38 off 39, striking three fours and two sixes.

After his wicket, Pakistan lost their way as they slumped to 151-3 in 29.4 overs to 183-7 and later all-out.

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Usman top-scored with 66 off 92, including seven fours.

For India, Khilan Patel and captain Ayush Mhatre shared six wickets between them.

Earlier, Abdul Subhan took a three-wicket haul as Pakistan restricted India from posting a daunting total

Put into bat first, India’s innings folded for 252 in 49.4 overs.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George provided India a rapid start, adding 47 for the opening wicket in the first 7.4 overs.

Sooryavanshi remained the core aggressor, striking six and five fours in his 30 from 22. However, Mohammad Sayyam delivered a much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan as India lost both openers in the same over.

The right-arm pacer first removed Sooryavanshi, who was caught, and followed it by George’s wicket.

India were further in dire straits as their skipper, Ayush Mhatre, was sent packing for a duck. Thus, the men in blue were reduced to 47-3 in 8.1 overs.

With India in deep trouble, Vedant Trivedi came to the fore and held India’s innings together.

The right-hander remained instrumental in powering India to a respectable total. He first stitched a crucial 62-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra, who made 21.

Then he strung a couple of stands with middled order batters, Abhigyan Kundu and RS Ambrish, to put India out of trouble.

He eventually departed in the 40th over, after scoring 68 from 98 with the help of two fours and a six.  At this stage, India were 182-6.

Nonetheless, India lost three wickets in the final over, but Kanishk Chouhan’s (35 from 29 balls) ensured that they set a challenging target for Pakistan.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan picked up a three-wicket haul while Mohammad Sayyam picked up two wickets.

READ: PSL new outfit Hyderabad set for official launch on Feb 7

BULAWAYO: Pakistan suffered a major blow ahead of the crucial India clash in the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 as wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Shayan has been ruled out of the tournament.

Shayan, 18, was struck on the nose while keeping to a fast-bowler during a scenario-based practice match. Following the blow, he was taken to hospital, where X-rays confirmed a fracture.

Mohammad Shayan — top order batter, replacement will be named in due course.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan and India are set for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday, February 1, in what has effectively become a virtual knockout for a place in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

While fans are already dreaming of a potential Pakistan vs India final, the reality is that both teams qualifying from Super Six Group 2 is highly unlikely, though not impossible.

The outcome hinges on the result of England vs New Zealand, currently underway.

England currently lead their Super Six group, boasting an unbeaten 3-0 record, which includes wins carried forward against Pakistan and Zimbabwe from the group stage.

If England beat New Zealand, they will finish on eight points, securing a semi-final spot and leaving only one place for either Pakistan or India.

However, if New Zealand manage to turn things around and pull off an upset, the door opens for both Pakistan and India.

In that scenario, a Pakistan win over India on Sunday would create a three-way tie at six points, with Net Run Rate (NRR) deciding the top two teams to advance.

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At present, England’s NRR is 1.989, while Pakistan sits at 1.484 and India at 3.337. Pakistan can improve its NRR significantly with a dominant performance against India, potentially pipping England and qualifying for the semi-final with India.

However, in case of England’s victory, Pakistan not only have to defeat India, but to win in a manner to surpass their arch-rivals in NRR to make it to the semi-finals.

Currently, India hold the advantage with six points and a better NRR; however, the NRR gap may look daunting, but it’s not as impossible as it seems.

If Pakistan bat first and post a total of 300, they would need to win by at least 85 runs to surpass India’s NRR.

If Pakistan bowl first and restrict India to 200, they would need to chase the target in roughly 31.5 overs.

For a target of 251, Pakistan would need to finish the chase in about 33.2 overs.

READ: PCB reveals open trail dates for Future Stars Talent Hunt Programme

BULAWAYO: Viran Chamuditha slammed a brisk century as Sri Lanka secured a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes clash at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chased down 262 run target in 46 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

After losing their opener Dimantha Mahavithana in the fifth over, Senuja Wekunagoda and Viran Chamuditha  made the light work of the chase with a 143 run partnership.

Senuja Wekunagoda made 48 off from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

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Meanwhile, Chamuditha continued on despite losing wickets at the other end. He scored 110 from 94 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six.

Eventually, Sri Lanka reached the target in 46 overs.

For South Africa, Corne Botha and Michael Kruiskamp picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa posted 261 for seven in 50 overs.

Jorich Van Schalkwyk starred with the bat, striking 13 fours and two sixes in his 116 from 130 balls.

Adnaan Lagadien remained the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 46 from 57, including six fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Vigneshwaran Akash remained the standout bowler, picking up a four wicket haul in his quota of 10 overs. Kavija Gamage also supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Hetmyer 75 powers West Indies to 221 against South Africa

BULAWAYO: Pakistan and India are set for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday, February 1, in what has effectively become a virtual knockout for a place in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

While fans are already dreaming of a potential Pakistan vs India final, the reality is that both teams qualifying from Super Six Group 2 is highly unlikely, though not impossible.

The outcome hinges on the result of England vs New Zealand, scheduled for Friday, January 30.

England currently lead their Super Six group, boasting an unbeaten 3-0 record, which includes wins carried forward against Pakistan and Zimbabwe from the group stage.

If England beat New Zealand, they will finish on eight points, securing a semi-final spot and leaving only one place for either Pakistan or India.

However, if New Zealand manage to turn things around and pull off an upset, the door opens for both Pakistan and India.

In that scenario, a Pakistan win over India on Sunday would create a three-way tie at six points, with Net Run Rate (NRR) deciding the top two teams to advance.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

At present, England’s NRR is 1.989, while Pakistan sits at 1.484 and India at 3.337. Pakistan can improve its NRR significantly with a dominant performance against India, potentially pipping England and qualifying for the semi-final with India.

However, in case of England’s victory, Pakistan not only have to defeat India, but to win in a manner to surpass their arch-rivals in NRR to make it to the semi-finals.

Currently, India hold the advantage with six points and a better NRR; however, the NRR gap may look daunting, but it’s not as impossible as it seems.

If Pakistan bat first and post a total of 300, they would need to win by at least 85 runs to surpass India’s NRR.

If Pakistan bowl first and restrict India to 200, they would need to chase the target in roughly 31.5 overs.

For a target of 251, Pakistan would need to finish the chase in about 33.2 overs.

READ: Finch, Clarke stunned over Haris Rauf’s exclusion from Pakistan T20I squad

HARARE: Abdul Subhan’s four-wicket haul, followed by Sameer Minhas’ blistering knock, powered Pakistan to a dominant eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in their Super Six encounter of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 111-run target, Sameer Minhas steered Pakistan across the line with 32.5 overs to spare, thanks to his brilliant knock of 76 runs.

The Green Shirts, however, did not get the desired start to the run chase, losing Hamza Zahoor in the third over with 18 runs on the board.

Minhas was joined by Usman Khan, who scored a cautious 15 off 24, and together they put Pakistan in the driving seat with a 67-run partnership.

Luke Harrison broke the stand, removing a struggling Usman, only to bring out skipper Farhan Yousaf to the crease, who added finishing touches to the run-chase.

Yousaf scored 11 off 9 while Minhas continued his strokeplay to help Pakistan cross the finishing line without further loss.

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Earlier, New Zealand were bundled for mere 110 runs after being invited to bat first.

The Black Caps never recovered from an early blow when opener Marco William Alpe was trapped by Ali Raza for just 2, leaving the side reeling at 7-1 in the third over.

A brief recovery seemed possible when Hugo Bogue and captain Tom Jones stitched together a 48-run partnership, but the stand was broken by Mohammad Sayyam, who dismissed Bogue for 39 off 27 balls.

The right-hander’s knock featured six boundaries and two sixes, yet his dismissal proved to be a turning point.

The momentum shifted further in the next over when Subhan struck, removing skipper Jones for 15, and New Zealand’s innings collapsed dramatically thereafter.

The Blackcaps slipped from 59-2 to 67-7, as Pakistan’s bowlers applied relentless pressure. Ali Raza and Abdul Subhan were the architects of the collapse, leaving New Zealand’s lower order scrambling for survival.

The tail tried to offer resistance, but it was short-lived. Callum Samson added just 10 before falling to spinner Momin Qamar, while Mason Clarke managed 17 off 48 balls before becoming Subhan’s fourth victim.

Hunter Shore contributed 13 but was run out, bringing the innings to a close at 110.

Subhan finished as the standout bowler with 4-11 in 6.3 overs, while Ali Raza supported him with 3 wickets. Mohammad Sayyam and Momin Qamar also chipped in with one wicket each.

READ: ICC clears the air on denying Bangladesh journalists T20 World Cup accreditation

HARARE: Pakistan have kicked off their Super Six campaign at the ongoing ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand, with an aim to book their place in the semi-final.

The ongoing match against New Zealand is a virtual knock-out for Pakistan, knowing that a slip-up could seriously dent their qualification hopes in a tightly-packed Super Six Group 2.

For the unversed, the tournament structure sees the top three teams from each group advancing to the Super Six stage, but teams do not start on equal footing. Points earned against fellow Super Six qualifiers during the group stage are carried forward.

At this stage, each team plays only two matches, both against teams from the other group whose group-stage ranking differed from their own.

This means a team that finished second in its group will not face the team that also finished second in the other group.

Groups B and C have combined to form Super Six Group 2, while Groups A and D make up Super Six Group 1. The top two teams from each Super Six group will progress to the semi-finals.

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Pakistan finished second in Group C, behind England, while Zimbabwe also progressed from the group.

As a result, Pakistanare set to face Group B toppers India and Group B third-placed New Zealand in the Super Six stage, but will not play Bangladesh, who finished second in Group B.

Pakistan sit third in Super Six Group 2 with a 0.629 net run rate, while England occupy the top spot after their dominant seven-wicket win over Bangladesh yesterday, which significantly boosted their NRR to 1.989.

India, who entered the Super Six with an already strong NRR of 2.751, are sitting at second position.

Considering Pakistan’s low net run rate, they must defeat New Zealand and then overcome an in-form India on February 1 by substantial margins to leapfrog into the top two.

READ: Bangladesh journalists denied ICC accreditation for T20 World Cup