IND vs PAK: India stun Pakistan to set up semi-final meeting with Afghanistan in U19 World Cup 2026

India defended a low score of 252 comfortably, beating Pakistan by 58 runs.

India produced a clinical all-round display to defeat Pakistan (IND vs PAK) by 58 runs in a high-stakes ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Super Six Group 2 clash at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on February 1. Batting first after being put in, India posted 252 all out in 49.5 overs on a challenging surface offering variable bounce and turn.

Despite early setbacks that saw captain Ayush Mhatre and prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dismissed inside the powerplay, India showed resilience through Vedant Trivedi, who anchored the innings with a composed 68 off 98 balls after a top-order wobble at 47 for 3.

Sooryavanshi earlier provided momentum with a brisk 30, while Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel injected late impetus with a decisive 50-run surge at the death.

Pakistan’s bowlers did manage to keep things relatively tight, with Abdul Subhan claiming three wickets and Mohammad Sayyam picking up two. However, the target proved well beyond reach once India’s bowlers tightened the screws during the chase.

India qualify for the ICC U19 World Cup semi-finals

Pakistan‘s reply never gathered the required momentum. Usman Khan top-scored with a patient 66 off 92 balls, and Hamza Zahoor added 42 in a steady partnership, but the run rate remained far behind what was needed.

Khilan Patel’s three-wicket haul, combined with timely spells from skipper Ayush Mhatre, ensured India stayed firmly in control as Pakistan were restricted and eventually bowled out for 194.

Beyond the match result, qualification scenarios added further pressure. For Pakistan to reach the semi-finals, they not only had to beat India but also chase 253 in 33.3 overs or fewer to overhaul India’s superior net run rate of +3.337 compared to Pakistan’s +1.484.

Surprisingly, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach in the chase, prioritizing a potential win over aggressive scoring for qualification. By the time the 33.3-over checkpoint passed, Pakistan were around 167 for 4, effectively ending their qualification hopes.

In the end, they fell short on both counts, failing to secure a win and missing out on the net run rate requirement, a result that will prompt serious reflection on their tactical choices.

India’s victory confirmed their place in the semi-finals as the fourth qualifier, alongside Afghanistan, Australia, and England. The win also avenged their U19 Asia Cup final loss to Pakistan last December and provided a timely morale boost ahead of the knockouts.

India, who are at the top of their Super Six group, will face Afghanistan in the second semi-final on February 4, 2026.

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