HARARE: Pakistan’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start on Friday as England defeated the Green Shirts by 37 runs in the tournament opener at the Takashinga Sports Club.
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Winning the toss, Pakistan U19 captain Farhan Yousuf elected to field first. Pakistan’s bowlers initially made the decision pay off, restricting England to 210 in their 50 overs. Ahmed Hussain starred with the ball, taking three wickets, while Ali Raza, Abdul Subhan, and Moshin Qamar claimed two wickets apiece. England’s Caleb Falconer top-scored with 66 runs and was later named Man of the Match, supported by Ben Dawkins’ 33 and Ralphie Albert’s 25.
England edge out Pakistan to begin their #U19WorldCup campaign with a thrilling victory 🙌#PAKvENG 📝: https://t.co/JdVNsuEDZK pic.twitter.com/f0F8KWz44h
— ICC (@ICC) January 16, 2026
Chasing 211, Pakistan’s top order struggled against England bowlers Alex Green and James Minto, losing six wickets for just 86 runs. Captain Yousuf provided resistance with a fighting 65-run knock, but no other batsman could sustain the innings. U19 Asia Cup hero Sameer Minhas added only 10 runs before being dismissed. Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 173 in 46.3 overs, handing England a 37-run victory.
The loss puts Pakistan in an early challenge, but the team will have a chance to recover when it faces Scotland U19 on January 19. Analysts say the match highlighted Pakistan’s dependence on a few key batsmen and the need for stronger top-order performance under pressure.
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Despite the gloomy start, hope remains for the Green Shirts, as the remaining group-stage matches will determine their position for the knockout rounds. Fans and coaching staff emphasise learning from the opener and focusing on building partnerships to sustain innings in upcoming matches.