West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland secure wins at U19 World Cup

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

West Indies and Pakistan registered crucial wins in their final group stage match at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 while Ireland beat Japan to secure their spot for the Super Six stage.

Here’s how the three games panned out:

West Indies beat South Africa by 55 runs

(Scorecard)

West Indies opted to bat first and the decision paid early dividends. Despite losing opener Tanez Francis in the seventh over, they continued to pile on the runs with Zachary Carter leading the charge at the top.

The game-changing moment came in the 22nd over when JJ Basson struck thrice in the space of four deliveries, swinging the momentum South Africa’s way.

Carter however, continued ticking the scoreboard, and went on to complete a masterful century, scoring 114 runs off 104 balls to anchor the West Indies innings. He was eventually dismissed by Paul James, and just three overs later, Jonathan van Lange (29) was dismissed, falling to Michael Kruiskamp.

JJ Basson completed an outstanding five-wicket haul as West Indies failed to find a late flourish and were bowled out for 234.

Chasing 235, South Africa were put under early pressure as Shaquan Belle removed opener Adnaan Lagadien before Jorich van Schalkwyk and Muhammad Bulbulia were dismissed off consecutive deliveries, leaving the Young Proteas struggling at 41/3 at the end of the powerplay.

Jason Rowles then led the rebuild alongside Armaan Manack, with the pair adding a valuable 42-run partnership.

The stand was broken when Manack fell for 17. South Africa suffered another setback soon after as Vitel Lawes claimed the crucial wicket of the well-set Rowles, who scored 46 off 40 balls. His dismissal left South Africa in further trouble at 115/5.

To close the Belle produced a spectacular spell, picking up four wickets to break all South African resistance and, in the process, completing a stunning six-wicket haul. South Africa lost their final five wickets for just 57 runs as West Indies sealed a dominant 55-run victory.

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets

(Scorecard)

Put in to bat after Pakistan won the toss, Zimbabwe faltered early as Ali Raza and Mohammad Sayyam struck twice each in the powerplay, leaving them reeling at 37/4 at the end of the powerplay.

While Zimbabwe tried to construct back the innings, adding 47 runs for the next two wickets, Pakistan’s bowlers continued to tighten their grip. The decisive moment came in the 30th over when Momin Qamar removed Nathaniel Hlabangana, whose 59 off 85 balls made up the bulk of Zimbabwe’s total of 94 at the time of his dismissal.

Pakistan then cleaned up the tail swiftly, bowling Zimbabwe out for 128. Ali Raza led the attack with impressive figures of 3/16, while Mohammad Sayyam, Abdul Subhan and Momin Qamar picked up two wickets each. Ahmed Hussain chipped in with one wicket to complete a dominant bowling performance.

Pakistan were largely untroubled in the chase as they reached the total in 26.2 overs. Sameer Minhas starred with an unbeaten 74 of 75 balls while he was duly supported by Usman Khan (26 off 23) and Ahmed Hussain (24 off 53).

Panashe Mazai and Michael Blignaut were the only wicket takers for Zimbabwe, with both picking up one wicket each.

Ireland beat Japan by 4 wickets

(Scorecard)

Japan elected to bat first in a must-win encounter but suffered an early setback when star batter Hugo Tani-Kelly was dismissed by Olly Riley in the sixth over. Adam Leckey then struck twice in quick succession, leaving Japan in a precarious position at 57/3. Samuel Haslett added to their troubles by removing Montgomery Hara-Hinze in the 20th over.

Charles Hara-Hinze and skipper Kazuma Kato-Stafford provided the tournament debutants with much-needed stability, combining for their team's highest partnership of the innings, adding 68 runs to steady the ship.

However, two quick wickets soon derailed the momentum, reducing Japan to 141/6, before another major blow came when Charles Hara-Hinze fell for 57, the highest individual score of the innings.

Japan mounted a late fightback as Gabriel Hara-Hinze (44 off 29) and Skyler Nakayama-Cook (30 off 37) stitched together a valuable 62-run stand to push the total past 200.

Despite the resistance, Japan were eventually bowled out for 247. Ireland skipper Olly Riley (3/52) and Adam Leckey (3/44) were the standout bowlers, while Samuel Haslett claimed two key wickets and Thomas Ford chipped in with one.

In the chase, Ireland lost their first wicket in the ninth over when Kazuma Kato-Stafford provided the breakthrough by bowling James West. Despite the early setback, Ireland kept the scoreboard moving as Freddie Ogilby and Adam Leckey combined for a brilliant 95-run partnership that put them firmly in control of the chase.

The stand was eventually broken by Timothy Moore, who dismissed Ogilby for a well-made 73 off 76 balls. Moore followed it up in his next over by removing Leckey for 44 off 57 deliveries, courtesy of a sharp caught-and-bowled, giving the bowling side a timely double breakthrough.

Despite Japan striking twice more, Sebastian Dijkstra’s unbeaten 55 off 61 balls guided Ireland home to a solid four-wicket victory.

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup