Under-19 World Cup 2026: England, Afghanistan end group stage unbeaten

England and Afghanistan picked commanding wins in Group C and Group D, respectively, on Wednesday to extend their unbeaten runs at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026.

England thrashed Scotland by 252 runs at the Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare courtesy of Ben Mayes’ mammoth 191-run essay.

Mayes put up a 188-run partnership with opener Joseph Moores, who scored 81 off 65 balls, to help England post 404 for six in its 50 overs.

Batting at number three, Mayes struck 18 fours and eight sixes through his 117-ball stay at the crease. Caleb Falconer, Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan chipped in with contributions down the order to push their team’s total past 400.

Scotland was watchful to start off its response as openers Thomas Knight and Theo Robinson put up 38 runs for the first wicket. But they fell after getting their eye in, and no other Scotland batter managed to convert their start either.

Finlay Carter top-scored with 34 off 55 balls before Scotland was bundled out for 152 in the 45th over.

In Group D, Nooristani Omarzai’s five-wicket haul set the platform for Afghanistan’s nine-wicket win over Tanzania at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.

The decision to bat after winning the toss backfired for Tanzania as Omarzai and Wahidullah Zadran rocked the top order by removing the openers in the first three overs.

Runs came at a trickle as Omarzai combined with Uzairullah Niazi to nab the middle order. Omarzai then picked three tailenders in successive overs to bundle out Tanzania for 85 runs in the 36th overs.

Faisal Khan’s fiery 55 off 34 ensured Afghanistan blazed its way to the target inside 13 overs.

Published on Jan 21, 2026