ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026: Warm-ups day 2 wrap
Five enthralling warm-up fixtures were played out in Namibia and Zimbabwe as the sides gear up for ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.
After a confident start for England against New Zealand yesterday, 10 more sides got much-needed practice ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Scotland, Zimbabwe and USA were in action in Zimbabwe whereas West Indies, Ireland, Japan, and Tanzania featured in Namibia.
Best Moments | U19 CWC 2024
The very best moments from the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024
Pakistan v Bangladesh, Masvingo Sports Club, Masvingo
Pakistan elected to field against fellow Asian rivals Bangladesh, and Ali Raza was right on the mark along with Umar Zaib as the duo ran through the top-order in no time.
The experienced Kalam Siddiki played a lone hand with a feisty half-century, and helped Bangladesh get to 152/7 before rain interrupted the game.
India v Scotland, Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo
India made the most of Scotland’s call to field first, as rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took charge early in the innings, with support from Aaron Varghese (61), Vihaan Malhotra (77), and Abhigyan Kundu (55) helping the side reach a mammoth total of 374/8.
The base for India’s batting innings was set by Sooryavanshi, whose explosive 96 came off merely 50 balls, and included nine fours and seven sixes.
In response, Scotland were rocked early when Olly Pillinger lost his wicket to Deepesh Devendran (3/14). A fighting stand between Theo Robinson (30) and Max Chaplin raised hope but the spin of Mohamed Enaan (2/24) and Khilan Patel (3/4) ran through Scotland’s resistance.
The European side eventually managed 112/9 in a rain-truncated game, and fell short of the Indian total by 121 runs (by DLS method).
Zimbabwe v USA, Old Hararians, Harare
Tournament co-hosts Zimbabwe got a stern test on the field after asking USA to bat first in Harare. Led by Amrinder Gill’s hundred, the North American side cruised at over five runs an over despite early losses. They made 174/4 in 34 overs of play that was possible before the match was called off.
Dhruv Patel was the standout performer for Zimbabwe, picking two wickets for 15 runs.
Ireland v West Indies, Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Joshua Dorne’s team faced a challenging start after he decided to bat first against Ireland in Windhoek. Reuben Wilson had Tanez Francis caught early, and despite positive batting from Jewel Andrew (81 off 107) in the middle overs, the West Indies innings never took off.
Luke Murray (3/39) was the pick of Irish bowlers and found good support in Thomas Ford (2/38). Isra-El Morton’s steady 36 added crucial runs for the West Indies later in the innings as they finished at 246.
The game was eventually called off due to inclement weather.
Japan v Tanzania, United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek
Brilliant effort from Nihar Parmar (3/15) and Kazuma Kato-Stafford (2/32) held Tanzania to 204/9 in the first innings after Japan opted to field first. Captain Laksh Bakrania was the only half-centurion for the African side, and his 53 lower down the order played a key role in helping them cross the 200-run mark.
The rain-interrupted game saw the target being reset to 127 off 20 overs.
Japan’s chase was rocked early by disciplined Tanzanian bowling, as three wickets fell within the sixth over mark.
Laksh Bakrania (2/13) and Raymond Francis (3/7) hastened the innings' end by running through Japan's middle and lower order in no time, as the African side secured an 81-run win (DLS method).