England and Afghanistan go two from two

Media release

Big wins for England and Afghanistan saw them pick their second victories of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 as they saw off Zimbabwe and the West Indies respectively.

Ben Mayes and Thomas Rew starred with the bat in England’s eight-wicket win over the hosts, while Afghanistan had a great all-round day as Osman Sadat and Mahboob Khan scored half-centuries before brilliant bowling set up a 138-run win over the Windies.

The other match of the day was abandoned due to rain, but not before Nitish Sudini made history for the USA with an unbeaten 117.

English batters star

England followed up their victory over Pakistan by comfortably beating Zimbabwe by eight wickets to make it two from two in the competition.

Zimbabwe lost both openers cheaply after being put into bat, with Nathaniel Hlabangana dismissed by Alex French for a duck in the first over.

Kian Blignaut (33), Dhruv Patel (36) and Tatenda Chimugoro (30) helped them rebuild before skipper Simbarashe Mudzengerere batted brilliantly with the tail, on his way to 45 not out.

Manny Lumsden (3/38) and Farhan Ahmed (2/33) were the standout bowlers for England, as they restricted their opponents to 208 for nine from their 50 overs.

Despite then losing their own openers for relatively low scores, England’s chase was built on a fantastic 167-run partnership between Ben Mayes and Thomas Rew.

Mayes needed 72 balls for his unbeaten 77, while Rew motored to 86 not out off just 66 deliveries, as England got home in just 28 overs.

Afghanistan go two from two against the Windies

Another strong batting showing from Afghanistan saw them back up their victory over South Africa by cruising past the West Indies by 138 runs.

Electing to bat, that decision was vindicated as Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai added 82 for the first wicket before Khalid fell to Vitel Lawes for 34.

Khalid and Faisal Khan both scored half-centuries against South Africa, but this time around, Faisal added just four, a second wicket for the impressive Lawes (3/48), who also removed Uzairullah Niazai (12), the third man to score fifty in the opener.

That brought skipper Mahboob Khan to the crease and he and Osman proceeded to add 77 before the opener departed for 88.

Mahboob ramped up the pace in the closing overs, eventually going for 86 off just 69 balls in the 50th, as Afghanistan finished on 262 for six.

Wahid Zadran then destroyed the Windies chase with his new ball spell, taking three for 36 as the Caribbean side found themselves 21 for three in no time.

Full international Jewel Andrew did his best to get the reply back on track, but he lost partners at regular intervals before finally departing for 57, the eighth man to go.

As well as Wahid, Nooristani took four wickets for just 16 runs, and Khatir Stanikzai removed the other three to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

Sudini century saves USA before the rain

Nitish Sudini made history with the first-ever century by a USA player in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup before rain cut short their clash with New Zealand in Bulawayo.

Coming in with his side in all sorts of strife at 40 for five, Sudini produced an all-time great knock from number seven, finishing unbeaten on 117.

Flynn Morey (4/40) had done the damage early on for New Zealand, but a 57-run stand between Sudini and Shiv Shani (33) helped steady the ship.

After Shani’s departure, Adit Kappa joined the party, making a valuable 40 as he and Sudini brought up a century stand, adding 103 in all.

Some fine shepherding of the tail by Sudini ensured the USA ended on 253 for nine from their 50 overs.

Hugo Bogue made a statement of intent in the opening over of the chase, hitting a four and a six off the two balls he faced, but the rain then came down with New Zealand 12 without loss.

Scores in brief

New Zealand v USA - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

USA 253/9 in 50 overs (Nitish Sudini 117, Adit Kappa 40; Flynn Morey 4/40, Mason Clarke 3/55)

New Zealand 12/0 in one over (Hugo Bogue 10 not out)

Result: Match abandoned

England v Zimbabwe – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

Zimbabwe 208/9 in 50 overs (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 45 not out, Dhruv Patel 36; Manny Lumsden 3/38, Farhan Ahmed 2/33)

England 209/2 in 28 overs (Thomas Rew 86 not out, Ben Mayes 77 not out; Shelton Mazvitorera 2/54)

Result: England won by eight wickets

West Indies v Afghanistan – High Performance Oval, Windhoek

Afghanistan 262/6 in 50 overs (Osman Sadat 88, Mahboob Khan 86; Jakeem Pollard 3/39, Vitel Lawes 3/48)

West Indies 124 all out in 33.2 overs (Jewel Andrew 57; Nooristani 4/16, Khatir Stanikzai 3/20, Wahid Zadran 3/36)

Result: Afghanistan won by 138 runs