BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: India outplayed Pakistan by 58 runs to secure a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 252 for six in their 50 overs, despite early setbacks.
Openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gave India a flying start, adding 47 runs in the first 7.4 overs.
Sooryavanshi struck 30 off 22 balls, hitting six fours and a six, before being dismissed by Pakistan’s pacer Mohammad Sayyam.
Sayyam then removed George and India captain Ayush Mhatre, who was out for a duck, reducing India to 47 for three in 8.1 overs.
India rebuild innings
Vedant Trivedi stabilised India’s innings with a patient knock of 68 off 98 balls, which included two fours and a six.
He shared a 62-run partnership with Vihaan Malhotra, who scored 21.
Abhigyan Kundu and RS Ambrish contributed in the middle order, helping India recover from early losses.
In the latter stages, Kanishk Chouhan (35 off 29 balls) and Khilan Patel provided crucial late runs, putting India past the 250-run mark.
Abdul Subhan led Pakistan’s bowling with three wickets for 33 runs, while Mohammad Sayyam took two wickets.
Ali Raza, Ahmed Hussain, Momin Qamar and Ali Hassan Baloch took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s response falters
Chasing 253 for victory, Pakistan were dismissed for 194 in 46.2 overs.
Openers Sameer Minhas and Hamza Zahoor provided a promising start, adding 23 runs.
Henil Patel provided the breakthrough, dismissing Minhas for nine.
Zahoor then shared a 50-run partnership with Usman Khan for the second wicket.
Zahoor top-scored with 42 off 49 balls, including eight boundaries, before being dismissed by Kanishk Chouhan.
Pakistan struggled to maintain the required scoring rate. Skipper Farhan Yousaf added 38 runs, while Usman Khan scored 66 off 92 balls.
The pair shared a 63-run partnership, but wickets fell regularly after Farhan’s dismissal, including key contributions from Ali Hassan Baloch, Abdul Subhan, and Momin Qamar.
India’s bowlers dominate
India’s bowling attack proved decisive. Khilan Patel and Ayush Mhatre claimed three wickets each, while Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan, Henil Patel and RS Ambrish contributed with one wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s resistance faltered under pressure, with the final batter run out, sealing a 58-run victory for India.
India’s all-round performance, combining disciplined bowling and timely partnerships, ensured they reached the semi-finals.
Pakistan, despite a solid start from openers and resistance from middle-order batters, could not match the required scoring rate.
Pakistan Playing XI
Hamza Zahoor (wk), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza
India Playing XI
Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
