Under 19 World Cup 2026: England Hand Pakistan a Defeat in Opening Match

Overview

Pakistan suffered a disappointing 36 run defeat against England in their opening match of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026. Chasing 211, Pakistan were bowled out for 174, with a dramatic and costly run out ending their hopes of a comeback.

England celebrate after defeating Pakistan in the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 opener.
Image Source: Instagram/@icc and cricketworldcup—Edited & Modified by Us

Pakistan Challenging Start to the Tournament

Pakistan Under 19 team faced an early setback in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2026, losing their first Group C match to England by 36 runs. The match, played in Harare, saw Pakistan fail to chase a modest target despite showing brief signs of recovery.

After being invited to bat first, England posted a total of 210 runs. In reply, Pakistan batting lineup struggled throughout the innings and was eventually dismissed for 174.

A Dramatic and Costly Run Out Ends the Match

Pakistan innings ended in an unfortunate and unusual manner. With nine wickets already down and 37 runs still required to win, hopes rested on Momin Qamar, who was trying to guide the team towards a miracle finish.

While attempting a quick single, Ali Raza, batting at number eleven, ran towards the wicketkeeper end. However, in a moment of poor judgment, he lifted his bat just before grounding it behind the crease. The English wicketkeeper reacted swiftly, breaking the bails and sealing the match with a sharp run out.

Replays showed that Ali Raza appeared to pull his bat back while trying to avoid the ball, leading commentators to question his game awareness at such a crucial moment.

Top Order Collapse Hurts Pakistan

Pakistan chase never gained early momentum. Samir Minhas, who had been a key contributor in Pakistan recent successes, including the Asia Cup and a tri series, was dismissed for just 10 runs.

The situation worsened as Pakistan lost six wickets for only 85 runs, putting the team under immense pressure early in the innings.

Brief Fightback Offers Hope

A glimmer of hope emerged when Farhan Yousaf and Abdul Subhan built a 48 run partnership for the seventh wicket. Their stand temporarily revived Pakistan chances and steadied the innings.

However, the comeback was short lived. Captain Farhan Yousaf was dismissed after scoring a fighting 65 runs, and the remaining batters failed to close the gap.

England Batting and Bowling Performance

England innings was also far from dominant, but Caleb Faulkner stood out with a top score of 66 runs, guiding his side to a competitive total.

From Pakistan bowling unit, Ahmed Hussain impressed by taking three wickets. Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, and Momin Qamar each picked up two wickets, keeping England within reach.

What Next for Pakistan?

Despite the disappointing start, Pakistan will look to regroup quickly. They are scheduled to play their next match against Scotland on 19 January, where a strong performance will be crucial to keep their tournament hopes alive.

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