Sports
Afghanistan, England cruise into U-19 World Cup semis
HARARE: Afghanistan and England qualified for the ICC U-19 World Cup semi-finals on Friday after recording impressive victories in their final Super Six matches against Ireland and New Zealand, respectively.
While England outplayed New Zealand by 65 runs in Bulawayo, a record-breaking 163 by Faisal Khan powered Afghanistan to a massive 191-run win over Ireland in Harare.
Australia had already progressed to the final four from Group 1 and Afghanistan grabbed the remaining spot. With England continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament, they became the first team from Group 2 to advance. That makes the marquee clash between India and Pakistan colts on Sunday even more important, as only one of them can go through.
India have a slight edge as they have six points from three matches. Though Pakistan trail their arch-rivals by two points and have an inferior net run-rate, they can still edge India out if they win big.
Man-of-the-match Faisal stepped up to the challenge for Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club. His breathtaking knock steered Afghanistan to a solid 315-7 in their 50 overs.
Playing with controlled aggression, Faisal struck 18 fours and a six in his 142-ball knock. It was the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in the tournament history.
After electing to bat, Afghanistan found themselves in a spot of bother at 27-2. A 75-run third-wicket partnership between Faisal and Uzairullah Niazai helped control the damage. Then Afghanistan seized control as Faisal and captain Mahboob Khan joined forces. While runs flowed steadily from both ends, they chose their moments for the big hits as they put on 188 runs for the fourth wicket.
Mahboob fell in the final over while trying to slog, but he contributed a vital 89 off 79 balls to his team’s cause.
For Ireland, pacers Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley claimed three wickets apiece.
Ireland failed to mount a real challenge in chase, and were skittled out for 124 in 40.4 overs.
Only Marko Bates (34) and Wilson (31) offered some resistance, as they put up 55 runs for the sixth wicket. But it was too little too late as Ireland failed to scale the mountain of runs ahead of them.
After pacer Abdul Aziz (3-21) had blunted the threat from the top order, leg-spinner Aqil Khan quelled a late challenge with three wickets for 36 runs.
It was a masterful performance from Afghanistan, and just the kind of momentum they needed going into the business end of the tournament.
Out of semi-final contentions, New Zealand had only pride to play for. On a tricky wicket in Bulawayo, New Zealand restricted England to 234/7 after electing to field first at the Queens Sports Club.
Ben Dawkins helped England navigate the opening phase of the innings, scoring 42 off 62 balls. Picking up the baton from him, Ben Mayes (53) and Caleb Faloner (47) kept the scoreboard ticking and made sure England posted a respectable total.
Led by pacer Mason Clarke (2-38), New Zealand put in an efficient bowling performance.
Pacer Manny Lumsden, who was adjudged player-of-the-match, finished with figures of 5-17 as New Zealand were dismissed for 169 in 38.5 overs.
Only young Senith Reddy (47) offered some resistance. He was involved in a 58-run stand for the sixth wicket with Callum Samson.
Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026
The Pakistan cricket team on Monday arrived in Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7.
In a post on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that a 15-player squad had arrived in the country.
“The 15-player national squad includes Captain Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Naeef, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq,” the PCB said in an earlier post, the informed of the squad’s department for the global event’s venue.
In the latest update about the aquad’s arrival in Colombo, the board said the team would rest on Monday and Tuesday.
“The team will play a warm-up match against Ireland on Feb 4,” PCB added.
The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on Feb 7.
On Sunday, the government gave the go-ahead for Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, but barred it from playing against arch-rival India on February 15.
The announcement came amid uncertainty regarding a possible boycott of the tournament over Bangladesh’s withdrawal following tensions with India.
A government source told Dawn that Pakistan had refused to play against India to express solidarity with Bangladesh. According to the government source, the primary reason for boycotting the match with India was the ICC’s “biased decision” towards Bangladesh.
BULAWAYO: India completed the semi-final line-up for the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a comprehensive 58-run win over Pakistan in Bulawayo on Sunday.
The victory in the final Super Six match at the Queens Sports Club 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 in 46.2 overs.
India joined Australia, England and Afghanistan into the final four. The Ayush Mhatre-led side face Afghanistan in the semi-finals in Harare on Wednesday. The first semi-final, between Australia and England, takes place in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
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 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 wicket-keeper 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 68. His 62-run 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 dismissed 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 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 conceded 30 runs off his 10 overs and claimed the wicket of Zahoor and was named the player-of-the-match. Skipper Mhatre claimed three wickets for 21 in his overs while Khilan Patel got 3-35.
Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2026
The Pakistan cricket team on Monday departed for Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7.
In a post on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that a 15-player squad was departing for Sri Lanka.
“The 15-player national squad includes Captain Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Naeef, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq,” the PCB said.
It said that the team would rest on Monday and Tuesday.
“The team will play a warm-up match against Ireland on Feb 4,” PCB added.
The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on Feb 7.
On Sunday, the government gave the go-ahead for Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, but barred it from playing against arch-rival India on February 15.
The announcement came amid uncertainty regarding a possible boycott of the tournament over Bangladesh’s withdrawal following tensions with India.
A government source told Dawn that Pakistan had refused to play against India to express solidarity with Bangladesh. According to the government source, the primary reason for boycotting the match with India was the ICC’s “biased decision” towards Bangladesh.
New Manhattan 4K Streaming Box Brings Freely And TiVo OS To Any UK TV
Uptick in exports after five months
Samsung Has Made An Important Galaxy S26 Ultra Decision
Australia down Japan in U-19 World Cup to make Super 6s
Trade gap with nine neighbours widens 44.4pc in first half
Realme Neo8 Specs Details Emerge One Day Before Launch
-
Sports2 weeks agoAustralia down Japan in U-19 World Cup to make Super 6s
-
Business1 week agoTrade gap with nine neighbours widens 44.4pc in first half
-
Tech2 weeks ago
Realme Neo8 Specs Details Emerge One Day Before Launch
-
Tech3 days ago
Realme 16 Proves Slim Phones Don’t Need to Have Small Batteries
-
Tech2 weeks ago
The SJCAM C400 Is A Creative Camcorder Designed For Vloggers Looking For Action Shots
-
Tech1 week ago
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Release Date Fights Pixel 10a And iPhone 17e
-
Business2 weeks ago
Regulations amended for rights shares
-
Business6 days ago
Gold’s rally continues past $5,200 after dollar plunges to near four-year low