ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026: Warm-ups Day 5 wrap
More warm-up action in Namibia and Zimbabwe saw statement wins and nail-biting drama.
Day 5 of the warm-up fixtures ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 saw eight teams in action, gearing up for the marquee tournament.
West Indies, Japan, Ireland and Tanzania were in action in Namibia while Pakistan, USA, Scotland and Bangladesh took the field in Zimbabwe.
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West Indies v Japan, United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek
After Japan elected to field, their new-ball bowlers made early inroads as Kai Wall struck in consecutive overs to remove Zachary Carter (15) and Kunal Tilokani (0), reducing West Indies to 42/2 inside nine overs.
What followed was a brutal counter-attack from the Windies. Tanez Francis played the anchor to perfection with a superb unbeaten 122 from 148 balls, while Shamar Apple provided the firepower, blasting a 124 off just 65 balls lower down the batting order. The pair piled on the runs to take West Indies to a commanding total of 346.
Japan never found momentum in their chase. The Windies bowlers struck at regular intervals, and R’Jai Gittens ripped through the top order with four wickets, leaving Japan reeling at 54/7.
A brief stand between Sekine and Waugh added 39, the highest partnership of the innings, but it was only a short delay. Once Sekine was bowled by Lawes and Waugh fell to McKenzie after a fighting 100-ball stay, the rest followed quickly.
Eventually, the West Indies sealed a thumping 229-run victory, finishing their warm-ups in emphatic fashion.
Shamar Apple of West Indies bats during warm-up game versus Japan // Getty Images
Ireland v Tanzania, Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Tanzania made a stunning statement in a thrilling chase after electing to field first.
Ireland struggled to build momentum despite a 51-run partnership between Rob O’Brien (30) and Adam Leckey (38). Wickets kept falling at regular intervals before Khalidy Juma ran through the tail, claiming the final four wickets, finishing with outstanding figures of 5/35 off 7.1 overs as Ireland were bowled out for 197.
The chase began in chaos. Tanzania were reduced to 21/6 inside ten overs, with captain Oliver Riley tearing through the top order, snapping four wickets.
A gritty recovery followed as Simba Mbaki and Abdulazak Mohamedi (46) led the fight, with skipper Laksh Bakrania chipping in as the trio pieced together vital partnerships to keep Tanzania alive.
Mbaki’s 49 and Mohamedi kept Tanzania in the game before Riley returned to complete a five-wicket haul by dismissing the latter, leaving Tanzania needing seven runs with one wicket in hand. They held their nerve, and Haifidi struck the winning runs to seal a morale-boosting one-wicket win.
Pakistan v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo
Pakistan were given a strong platform by a fluent opening stand of 105 before their star bat Sameer Minhas was forced to retire hurt on 74. The USA then hit back with two quick wickets, leaving Pakistan 124/3, but steady partnerships involving Ahmad Hussain (retired hurt at 43) alongside Usman Khan and Farhan Yousaf helped put the innings back on track.
A late burst from Ali Hasan Baloch, who struck 38 at a rate of 189.47 in the final powerplay, pushed Pakistan to a competitive 294. Captain Utkarsh Srivastava was the pick of the USA bowlers with figures of 3/26.
In reply, USA lost Amrinder Gill early and slipped to 61/2 after Abdul Shuban struck twice. A fighting 66-run stand between Sahil Garg and Srivastava briefly kept them in the hunt, but Hussain removed the skipper and Garg (75) soon followed him back to the dressing room.
Momin Qamar then struck twice to halt any further resistance, and despite a late effort from Nitish Sudini (34) and Sahir Bhatia (14), Pakistan’s spinners closed it out. Hussain took the final wicket to seal a 69-run victory for the Asian side.
Scotland v Bangladesh, Prince Edward School Ground, Harare
Bangladesh opted to bat first and lost Zawad Abrar early, with Finlay Jones striking in the second over. Rifat Beg then took charge, stitching together a 69-run second-wicket stand with his captain Azizul Hakim before adding a further 56 with Kalam Siddiki.
Beg looked in fine touch, compiling 75 runs with seven fours and a six, before rain interrupted play and Bangladesh innings came to a halt at 161/4.
With the rain-shortened contest, the target was reset to 176 from 22 overs, Scotland’s chase began with an early blow as captain Thomas Knight fell in the second over. A brief recovery came through with a 40-run stand between Max Chaplin and Theo Robinson, but Md Samin Ratul broke the partnership and then struck twice off successive deliveries to remove Robinson and Rory Grant.
Bangladesh’s bowlers then tightened the screws, picking up wickets at regular intervals and leaving the side one wicket away from victory before rain returned.
With no further play possible, the match was eventually abandoned due to weather.