Bulawayo, February 1, 2026 — India U19 vs Pakistan U19 Highlights: India Thrash Arch-Rivals to Seal Semifinal Spot and In a high-stakes encounter at the Queens Sports Club, the Ayush Mhatre-led India U19 side delivered a masterclass in clinical cricket, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan U19 by 58 runs. This victory not only maintained India’s undefeated streak in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 but also officially confirmed their top-of-the-table finish in Super Six Group 2, setting up a mouth-watering semifinal clash against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Match Summary: The Story of Indian Resilience
Despite losing the toss and being put in to bat on a surface that offered early assistance to the seamers, India managed to post a competitive 252/10 in 49.5 overs. The innings was anchored by a gritty maiden half-century from Vedant Trivedi (68 off 98) and finished with a flourish by the lower order.
In response, Pakistan’s chase never truly found its rhythm. While Usman Khan (66 off 92) fought a lonely battle, the Indian spin trio of Ayush Mhatre, Khilan Patel, and Kanishk Chouhan squeezed the life out of the Pakistani middle order. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 194 in 46.2 overs.
The Semifinal Equation: Pakistan needed to chase 253 in just 33.3 overs to overtake India’s Net Run Rate and qualify for the semis. Once they passed that mark without reaching the target, India’s spot in the final four was mathematically sealed.
First Innings: Trivedi the Anchor, Chouhan the Finisher
India’s start was explosive yet fragile. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (30 off 22) looked in sublime touch before Mohammad Sayyam struck twice in the 8th over, removing both Sooryavanshi and skipper Mhatre (0). When Aaron George fell shortly after, India were reeling at 49/3.
The recovery was led by Vedant Trivedi and Vihaan Malhotra (21). The duo put on a patient 60-run stand to stabilize the ship. However, the real momentum came late in the innings. Kanishk Chouhan (35 off 29) and Khilan Patel (21 off 15) combined for a quickfire 50-run partnership for the 8th wicket, propelling India past the 250-mark—a total that proved more than enough on the day.
Second Innings: Spinners Weave a Web
Pakistan’s reply started cautiously. Hamza Zahoor (42) and Usman Khan shared an 88-run stand that momentarily worried the Indian camp. However, the introduction of spin changed the complexion of the game.
Kanishk Chouhan broke the opening stand by bowling Zahoor.
Ayush Mhatre then took over, dismissing the dangerous Usman Khan (LBW) and Ahmed Hussain in quick succession.
Khilan Patel cleaned up the tail, finishing with figures of 3/35.
Pakistan’s lack of intent during the middle overs was evident, as they failed to keep up with the required run rate, eventually collapsing under the pressure of the mounting scoreboard.
Full Scorecard: India U19 vs Pakistan U19
India U19 Batting Scorecard
| Player | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Aaron George | b Abdul Subhan | 16 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 64.00 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | c Zahoor b Sayyam | 30 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 136.36 |
| Ayush Mhatre (C) | c Zahoor b Sayyam | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Vedant Trivedi | c Yousaf b Qamar | 68 | 98 | 2 | 1 | 69.38 |
| Vihaan Malhotra | c & b Ahmed Hussain | 21 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 48.83 |
| Abhigyan Kundu (WK) | c Subhan b Baloch | 16 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 59.25 |
| RS Ambrish | c Zahoor b Ali Raza | 29 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 76.31 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | c Minhas b Subhan | 35 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 120.68 |
| Khilan Patel | b Abdul Subhan | 21 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Deepesh Devendran | run out | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Henil Patel | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | (lb 1, w 10, nb 3) | 14 | ||||
| Total | (49.5 Overs) | 252 | RR: 5.06 |
Pakistan U19 Bowling Analysis
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| Abdul Subhan | 9.5 | 1 | 33 | 3 | 3.35 |
| Mohammad Sayyam | 10 | 1 | 69 | 2 | 6.90 |
| Ali Raza | 10 | 0 | 56 | 1 | 5.60 |
| Ahmed Hussain | 7 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 4.71 |
| Momin Qamar | 9 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 4.55 |
| Ali Hassan Baloch | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 4.75 |
Pakistan U19 Batting Scorecard
| Player | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Hamza Zahoor | b Chouhan | 42 | 49 | 8 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Sameer Minhas | lbw b Henil Patel | 9 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 81.81 |
| Usman Khan | lbw b Mhatre | 66 | 92 | 7 | 0 | 71.73 |
| Farhan Yousaf (C) | c Khilan b Ambrish | 38 | 39 | 3 | 2 | 97.43 |
| Ahmed Hussain | c Kundu b Mhatre | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ali Hassan Baloch | c Deepesh b Malhotra | 3 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 15.00 |
| Huzaifa Ahsan | b Khilan Patel | 14 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 46.66 |
| Abdul Subhan | c Chouhan b Khilan | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 |
| Momin Qamar | c Malhotra b Mhatre | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Sayyam | c Kundu b Khilan | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 27.27 |
| Ali Raza | not out | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (b 2, lb 2, w 6) | 10 | ||||
| Total | (46.2 Overs) | 194 | RR: 4.18 |
India U19 Bowling Analysis
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| Ayush Mhatre | 8 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 2.62 |
| Khilan Patel | 9.2 | 1 | 35 | 3 | 3.75 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | 10 | 1 | 30 | 1 | 3.00 |
| RS Ambrish | 5 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 5.20 |
| Henil Patel | 5 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Vihaan Malhotra | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 3.75 |
| Deepesh Devendran | 5 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 6.60 |
Key Highlights & Turning Points
The Double Strike: Mohammad Sayyam’s 8th over, where he removed the explosive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Captain Ayush Mhatre, put India on the back foot early.
Trivedi’s Grit: Vedant Trivedi’s 68 was a masterclass in building an innings on a slow track. His ability to rotate strike ensured India didn’t collapse.
The 33.3 Over Mark: Tension peaked as the 33rd over approached. Pakistan needed to reach 253 by then to stay in the World Cup. When they reached only 144/2, the Indian camp erupted in celebration, knowing their semifinal spot was secure.
Mhatre’s Magic: Despite a duck with the bat, Ayush Mhatre turned the game with his off-spin, taking 3 crucial wickets for just 21 runs, including the set Usman Khan.
Player of the Match
Kanishk Chouhan was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance (35 runs and 1 wicket), including a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Abdul Subhan.
Looking Ahead: The Semifinals
India now moves to Harare for the second semifinal against Afghanistan on February 4, 2026. With the team firing on all cylinders—especially the spin department—India looks like the favorites to reach yet another final.
Upcoming Schedule:
1st Semifinal: Australia vs England (Feb 3, Bulawayo)
2nd Semifinal: India vs Afghanistan (Feb 4, Harare)
Final: TBC vs TBC (Feb 6, Harare)