Pakistan thrash New Zealand by eight wickets in U19 World Cup Super Six clash

HARARE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Under-19 delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat New Zealand by eight wickets in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest target, Pakistan completed the task in just 17.1 overs, underlining their dominance in the crucial phase of the tournament.

Sameer Minhas led the chase with a composed and fluent unbeaten 76, anchoring Pakistan’s innings after an early breakthrough. The right-hander paced his knock intelligently, ensuring there were no alarms as the Green Shirts moved steadily towards victory. He was supported by Usman Khan, who contributed 15 runs, while Farhan Yousaf added 11. Hamza Zahoor chipped in with eight as Pakistan reached 111 for two without difficulty.

Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers laid the foundation for the emphatic win with a relentless display that dismantled New Zealand’s batting line-up. After winning the toss, the Pakistan captain opted to field, a decision that paid immediate dividends as the Kiwis were bundled out for 110 in 28.3 overs.

New Zealand’s innings began on a shaky note when opener Marco William Alpe was dismissed for two with only 11 runs on the board, giving Pakistan an early breakthrough through Ali Raza. Hugo Paul Bogue and captain Thomas Coney Jones then attempted to stabilise the innings, adding 48 runs for the second wicket and taking the score to 59 for one in 7.4 overs.

However, Pakistan’s pace attack soon turned the game decisively in their favour. The bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse, claiming six wickets for just eight runs as New Zealand slipped from a position of promise to deep trouble. Bogue was the top scorer for the Kiwis, making an aggressive 39 off 27 balls, which included two sixes and seven fours, before falling to Mohammad Sayyam. Captain Jones followed soon after, dismissed for 15 by Abdul Subhan.

The lower order offered little resistance as Snehith Reddy, Jacob James Cotter, Jaskaran Sandhu and Brandon Nicholas Matzopoulos were all removed cheaply, with two batters failing to score. New Zealand slumped to 67 for seven as Pakistan tightened the screws with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.

A brief partnership between Callum Michael Samson and Mason Clarke pushed New Zealand past the 80-run mark, but spinner Momin Qamar broke the stand by dismissing Samson for 10. Clarke continued to fight, adding valuable runs alongside Hunter Shore to carry the total beyond 100 in the 25th over.

Abdul Subhan returned to halt the resistance, removing Clarke for 17 off 48 deliveries, an innings that included a single boundary. Shore was the last batter to be dismissed after scoring 13, run out as New Zealand’s innings came to an end.

Subhan was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with four wickets for 11 runs in 6.3 overs. Ali Raza supported him well, picking up three wickets for 36 runs, while Mohammad Sayyam and Momin Qamar claimed one wicket each, completing a comprehensive bowling effort for Pakistan.

Pakistan will face India in their second Super Six stage fixture at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on February 1.