India Outclass Pakistan To Reach U19 World Cup Semifinals

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes delivered a spectacle brimming with drama, grit, and tactical intrigue. On February 1, 2026, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, India’s young brigade outclassed their arch-rivals by 58 runs, sealing their place in the semi-finals and continuing a remarkable unbeaten streak against Pakistan in U19 World Cup encounters since 2012.

Both sides entered the contest with everything to play for. India, riding high after a dominant group stage and a thumping 208-run win over Zimbabwe, needed just a win to secure their semi-final berth. Pakistan, on the other hand, faced a daunting challenge: to qualify, they had to chase down India’s total of 252 in a brisk 33.3 overs, leapfrogging their rivals on net run rate. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and the tension was palpable from the first ball.

Pakistan’s captain, Farhan Yousaf, won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to exploit early morning moisture on the Bulawayo pitch. “Bowl first. Slightly moisture on the pitch. The bowling unit wants to make use of it. Not too much difference between Harare and Bulawayo. We have done really well in the last 3-4 games. Focus is on playing a good game and good intent, not too much plan for the NRR,” Yousaf remarked before the match.

India’s openers, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George, started with promise, but a double-strike from Mohammad Sayyam and a quick wicket from Abdul Subhan left the Indian camp reeling at 47 for 3 inside the first 10 overs. The pressure was on, and memories of a heavy defeat to Pakistan in the recent U19 Asia Cup final must have weighed on the young Indian side. Yet, as they have done throughout the tournament, India found resilience in their middle order.

Vedant Trivedi played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with a composed 68 off 98 balls. His partnerships first with Vihaan Malhotra (21) and then with Abhigyan Kundu (30) provided the much-needed stability. Trivedi’s fifty was a testament to his temperament under pressure, and his ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries was crucial. “The duo has played very calculated cricket so far,” observed one commentator as Trivedi and Malhotra stitched a vital 62-run stand.

Just as Pakistan seemed to regain control, a late flourish from Kanishk Chouhan, who smashed a quickfire 35 off 29 balls, and Khilan Patel (21 not out off 15), propelled India to a competitive 252 in 49.5 overs. Chouhan’s aggressive intent and calculated risks in the death overs were instrumental. “When I got into bat, my partner told me the longer we bat the better. 230 was the score we looked at. The idea was to take it as deep as possible and only hit when the ball was in the slot,” Chouhan explained after being named Player of the Match.

Pakistan’s bowlers, who started with discipline, lost their way in the middle and at the death. “We bowled very well at the start. Then the plan changed and the bowlers were wayward. Set batsmen played, one fielder came in, so it was tough for the bowlers at the death. We’ll recover in the future,” admitted Farhan Yousaf, reflecting on the missed opportunity.

Chasing 253 in 33.3 overs was always going to be a tall order for Pakistan. However, the early loss of Sameer Minhas put them on the back foot. Hamza Zahoor (42) and Usman Khan (66) offered hope with a 65-run partnership, but the scoring rate lagged behind the required pace. As the Indian spinners came into the attack, the pitch began to grip and turn, making stroke play increasingly difficult. Ayush Mhatre, India’s captain, delivered crucial blows, removing both Ahmed Hussain and the dangerous Usman Khan, who had been fighting a lone battle.

“There was a good start but in the middle, the ball was spinning. The way KC (Kanishk Chouhan) batted brilliant. Vedant was batting well in the nets, so I was confident in him. Boys were contributing. Pakistan batters batted well in the first 25, after that the spinners bowled really well,” said Mhatre, summing up India’s disciplined bowling effort.

Pakistan’s hopes faded further as wickets tumbled in a heap. From 167 for 4 in the 33rd over, they collapsed to 194 all out in 46.2 overs, losing their last five wickets for just 22 runs. The Indian spin quartet, ably supported by sharp fielding, combined for eight wickets, choking the run flow and extinguishing any hopes of a miraculous chase.

Yousaf conceded that the team’s approach shifted mid-chase: “First plan was to win and qualify for the semis but after losing wickets, plan totally changed.” He added, “Despite the outcome, I am proud of my team’s effort and believe we will come back stronger in the future.”

India’s victory not only secured their semi-final spot but also ensured they topped Group 2 of the Super Sixes. Their next challenge awaits in Harare, where they will face a spirited Afghanistan side that has made remarkable progress in youth cricket. The other semi-final will feature Australia and England, promising another classic in Bulawayo.

This win also exorcised the ghosts of the Asia Cup final defeat and extended India’s dominance over Pakistan at the U19 World Cup level. The team’s unity, depth, and ability to find heroes in every match have been key themes of their campaign so far. From Henil Patel’s five-wicket haul earlier in the tournament to today’s all-round display, every player seems to have stepped up when it mattered most.

With the business end of the tournament approaching, India’s young stars are brimming with confidence but remain grounded. “We are looking match by match. Just want to win the semi-finals,” said Mhatre, keeping his sights firmly on the immediate task ahead.

As the dust settles on a memorable Super Sixes clash, all eyes now turn to Harare and Bulawayo for the semi-finals. If this contest was any indication, cricket fans are in for a thrilling climax to the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026.