Pakistan To Face India In ICC U19 World Cup Super Six Clash On February 1

KEY POINTS

India’s victory over New Zealand finalised the Super Sixes.
Pakistan and India will meet on Feb 1 in Bulawayo.
Pakistan must win both its Super Six matches to reach semi-finals.
India enters the knockout stage unbeaten.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in a key Super Six match of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 on February 1 in Bulawayo, after India’s seven-wicket victory over New Zealand on Saturday confirmed the Super Sixes lineup and finalised group standings.

The decisive Group B fixture in Bulawayo saw India, led by a fiery four-wicket haul from seamer RS Ambrish and a blistering half-century from captain Ayush Mhatre, crush New Zealand by seven wickets.

The win sealed India’s top spot in Group B with an unblemished record and finalized the composition of the next round.

Must-win path for Pakistan

With the group stage concluded, the tournament now splits into two Super Sixes groups.

Pakistan, having finished second in Group C, finds itself in the formidable Group 2 alongside India, New Zealand, and England.

The young Shaheens carry forward two points from their group-stage win over Zimbabwe.

Pakistan must ideally win both of their Super Sixes matches.

Their campaign resumes with a crucial encounter against New Zealand at the Harare Sports Club on January 27, serving as a direct prelude to the high-octane clash against India at the Queens Sports Club on February 1.

India’s momentum vs. Pakistan’s resolve

India enters the knockout phase as a formidable force, boasting powerful batting led by Mhatre and a versatile, wicket-taking bowling attack.

Pakistan, aware that a single loss could shatter their semi-final hopes, will need to harness maximum intensity.

Pakistan-India clash on February 1 is expected to be a virtual quarter-final, with the winner taking a giant stride towards the knockout stages scheduled for February 3 and 4.

Bigger picture

The tournament’s ultimate prize remains a spot in the final at the Harare Sports Club on February 6.

Only the top two teams from each Super Sixes group will advance.

As the remaining group matches play out over the coming days, all eyes will be firmly fixed on Bulawayo, where the latest chapter of the Indo-Pak cricketing rivalry promises to be a defining moment of the U19 World Cup.