Unbeaten India march into U-19 World Cup semi-finals

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

India completed the semi-final line-up for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 with a comprehensive win over Pakistan in Bulawayo on Sunday. The 58-run victory in the final Super Six match means the Indian colts head into the knockouts unbeaten and as Group 2 toppers.

After a late surge helped them to 252 in 49.5 overs, India put in a clinical performance in the field to dismiss Pakistan for 194.

India joined Australia, England and Afghanistan into the final four. The Ayush Mhatre-led side will face Afghanistan in the semi-finals in Harare on Wednesday. The first semi-final, between Australia and England, will take place in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

[Scorecard]

Put into bat, India powered past 250 thanks to the acceleration provided by the lower order in the last 10 overs.

With a spot in the semi-final on line, India were expecting another blockbuster innings from star batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Though the left-hander gave the team a brisk start, striking five fours and a six as he motored to 30, he was living dangerously. After two close calls, Sooryavanshi fell to a shorter delivery from Mohammad Sayyam, with a bottom-edge carrying to wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor.

Starting with Sooryavanshi, India lost three and in the space of four balls. While Sayyam also dismissed India captain Ayush Mhatre, Abdul Subhan bowled over opener Aaron George to reduce India to 47/3.

In their previous match in Bulawayo, India had scored a mammoth 352/8 against Zimbabwe. But on Sunday, the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat as well and stayed low. Vedant Trivedi led India’s fightback with a conservative innings of 68. His 62-runs fourth wicket partnership with Vihaan Malhotra (21) helped steer India clear of immediate trouble. Trivedi also put on handy stands with Abhigyan Kundu and RS Ambrish.

After the middle order had kept the scoreboard ticking, the lower order provided the late flourish. Kanishk Chouhan (35 off 29) and Khilan Patel (21 off 15) helped India notch 71 runs in the last 10 overs, lifting the score to 252.

For Pakistan, Subhan was the pick of the bowlers. Though he had been more of a support pacer earlier in the tournament, Subhan delivered the goods in the all-important clash against India. He dismissed the dangerous Chouhan and Patel to finish with 3/33 in 9.5 overs.

To qualify for the semi-final at India’s expense, Pakistan needed to chase down the target within 33.4 overs; otherwise, if the innings ended with a six to reach 258, they had until 34.3 overs to get there.

Pakistan showed some early intent, scoring 13 runs off the second over. It seemed their chances hinged on Sameer Minhas, but India were able to send the star opener back fairly quickly. He was trapped leg before wicket, to a ball that didn't rise much, by Henil Patel.

Following the early setback, Pakistan never showed any urgency to make a run for the semi-final spot. Hamza Zahoor (42), Usman Khan (66) and captain Farhan Yousuf (38) hung in there gamely even as runs slowed down to a trickle.

Chouhan further tighetened the screws, conceding only 30 runs off his 10 overs and claimed the wicket of Zahoor and was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. Though he missed out with the bat, skipper Mhatre inflicted damage with the ball, snapping up three wickets for 21 in his eight overs. Khilan Patel also returned with figures of 3/35.

It was just the kind of measured display India were looking for before they enter the pointy end of the tournament.

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup