India dominant, Japan claim first win at U19 World Cup
The five-time winners closed their group stage run with a perfect record while Japan recorded their first win of the tournament against Tanzania.
India concluded their group stage campaign with three wins out of three courtesy of a thumping win over New Zealand by seven wickets in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Meanwhile, Japan saw off a convincing victory over Tanzania - their first in the tournament's history - to seize the first play-off match of the 13th-16th playoff bracket.
Here’s how the two games panned out:
Japan secure historic win | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Japan won their first-ever match in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup history.
Japan cruise to win in play-off tie
Tanzania opted to bat first after winning the toss and made a good start despite losing Karim Kiseto in the second over. Acrey Pascal and Ayaan Shariff stitched together a 79-run stand, with the former bringing up his fifty.
Pascal fell shortly afterwards and Rehaan Ahtif joined forces with Shariff to take the Tanzanian innings forward.
However, Nihar Parmar gave Japan a crucial breakthrough again, dismissing Shariff. The wicket triggered a Tanzanian collapse as they lost seven wickets for just 13 runs to be bowled out for 131 inside 39 overs.
Parmar picked up four wickets for Japan and was adjudged the player of the match, but not just for his exploits with the ball.
Parmar's all-round excellence guides Japan to glory | POTM Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Nihar Parmar's 4/30 and 53* helped Japan secure a famous win over Tanzania in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026.
The Japan opener also starred with the bat as he stitched a 122-run stand with Taylor Waugh to completely flatten the Tanzanian attack.
He would remain unbeaten for 53 and took Japan home in just 28.2 overs to record a handsome win.
Dominant India beat New Zealand
India romped home to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in their third and final group game, making it three wins in a row at the tournament.
After putting New Zealand in to bat, India started on the front foot, leaving them reeling at 17/3 inside 7.1 overs.
The game was reduced to 37 overs per side, but the Indian bowlers continued to mount the pressure on New Zealand.
Crucial contributions came lower down the order for the as Jacob Cotter (23), Callum Samson (37*) and Selwin Sanjay (28) took New Zealand to 135.
Enaan dispatches Cotter | U19 CWC 2026
A reverse sweep from Jacob Cotter ended up badly for the batter, as Mohamed Enaan secured a wicket.
With the ball, New Zealand picked up Aaron George early but had no answer to the onslaught by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre as their partnership of 76 from just 39 balls put New Zealand in a very difficult situation.
Even after Sooryavanshi and Mhatre were dismissed, Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi had little trouble in closing out the win for India, chasing the total in just 13.3 overs.
India will face Zimbabwe next in their first Super Six match on Tuesday while New Zealand take on Pakistan on the same day.
An exhibition of flawless hitting from Mhatre | U19 CWC 2026
India skipper Ayush Mhatre unleashes brilliant strokplay.
