Unbeaten & Unstoppable: Kanishk Chouhan Stars as India U19 Dump Pakistan Out
Bulawayo, 2 February (Sports Desk)
India Under-19 defeated Pakistan Under-19 by 58 runs in a crucial Super Sixes match of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, securing their spot in the semi-finals as unbeaten Group 2 toppers. Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament.
The high-stakes clash took place on February 1, 2026, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Match Summary
- Toss: Pakistan Under-19 won the toss and elected to field first.
- India U19 innings: 252 all out in 49.5 overs (Target for Pakistan to qualify: chase in 33.3 overs or fewer for a net run rate advantage, but they prioritized a win over aggressive chasing).
- Pakistan U19 innings: 194 all out in 46.2 overs.
- Result: India U19 won by 58 runs, advancing to the semi-finals where they will face Afghanistan U19 (Group 1 runners-up) in Harare on February 4 or 5 (exact date per tournament schedule).
India maintained their unbeaten record throughout the tournament, showcasing strong all-round depth. Pakistan’s conservative approach in the chase—failing to accelerate despite a solid platform—ultimately cost them dearly, as they collapsed from 151/2 to 194 all out, losing 8 wickets for just 43 runs.
Key Performances
- Vedant Trivedi (India): Top-scored with a patient 68 off 98 balls, anchoring the innings after early setbacks.
- Kanishk Chouhan (India): Delivered a match-winning all-round performance. He smashed a quickfire 35 off 29 balls (including late aggression), shared a vital 50-run stand for the 8th wicket with Khilan Patel (21* off 15) to lift India past 250 in the death overs. With the ball, he bowled a tight 10 overs for 1/30 (including 40 dot balls), claiming the key wicket of Hamza Zahoor. He also took a stunning diving catch at long-on to dismiss Abdul Subhan. For his contributions, Kanishk Chouhan was named Player of the Match (Aramco Player of the Match award).
- Ayush Mhatre (India captain): 3/21 with the ball, pivotal in the middle overs.
- Khilan Patel (India): 3/35 and quick 21* off 15.
- Usman Khan (Pakistan): Top-scored with 66 off 92 balls.
- Hamza Zahoor (Pakistan): Contributed 42.
India U19 Batting Highlights
Early collapses saw India at 47/3, but Trivedi’s stability and lower-order cameos (RS Ambrish 29, Chouhan 35, Patel 21*) pushed the total to a competitive 252. Abdul Subhan took 3/33 for Pakistan.
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Pakistan U19 Bowling & Collapse
Pakistan bowled economically initially but leaked runs late. In the chase, they built a platform but lacked intent to overhaul the required rate for qualification, leading to a dramatic middle-order crumble under pressure from India’s spinners and seamers.
This victory not only propelled India into the semi-finals but also highlighted emerging talents like Kanishk Chouhan, a 19-year-old right-hand bat and offbreak bowler from Rajasthan, whose composure under pressure proved decisive in a high-voltage rivalry clash.
India now eye a spot in the final (scheduled for February 6, 2026) as five-time champions chase another title.
