Eight teams took the field on Day 5 of warm-up fixtures ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, fine-tuning their preparations for the main tournament.
Four teams played in Namibia—West Indies, Japan, Ireland, and Tanzania—while Pakistan, USA, Scotland, and Bangladesh competed in Zimbabwe.
West Indies Crush Japan at United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek
Japan won the toss and chose to field, making early breakthroughs. Kai Wall struck in consecutive overs, dismissing Zachary Carter for 15 and Kunal Tilokani for a duck, leaving the West Indies at 42 for 2 within nine overs.
What happened next was remarkable. Tanez Francis anchored the innings brilliantly with an unbeaten 122 from 148 balls, while Shamar Apple went ballistic lower down, smashing 124 off just 65 deliveries. Their partnership propelled the West Indies to an imposing 346.
Japan’s chase never gained traction. R’Jai Gittens tore through their top order with four wickets, reducing them to 54 for 7. A 39-run partnership between Sekine and Waugh—the highest of the innings—offered brief resistance. But once Lawes bowled Sekine and McKenzie removed Waugh after his fighting 100-ball stay, the collapse resumed.
The West Indies wrapped up a commanding 229-run victory, ending their warm-ups on a high note.
Tanzania Pull Off Thriller Against Ireland at Wanderers Cricket Ground
Opting to field first, Tanzania made a bold statement with an incredible chase.
Ireland couldn’t build momentum despite Rob O’Brien’s 30 and Adam Leckey’s 38 combining for a 51-run stand. Wickets fell steadily before Khalidy Juma cleaned up the tail, taking the last four wickets to finish with impressive figures of 5 for 35 off 7.1 overs. Ireland managed just 197.
Tanzania’s chase started disastrously. Captain Oliver Riley decimated the top order, taking four wickets as they crumbled to 21 for 6 in ten overs.
Then came the fightback. Simba Mbaki and Abdulazak Mohamedi (46) led the resistance, with captain Laksh Bakrania contributing vital runs. Their partnerships kept Tanzania breathing.
Mbaki scored 49 and Mohamedi kept them alive before Riley returned to complete his five-wicket haul, dismissing Mohamedi with Tanzania needing seven runs with one wicket left. Nerves held firm, and Haifidi struck the winning runs for a thrilling one-wicket victory.
Pakistan Dominate USA at Bulawayo Athletic Club
Pakistan built a solid foundation with a 105-run opening partnership before star batsman Sameer Minhas retired hurt on 74. The USA struck back with two quick wickets, leaving Pakistan at 124 for 3. Ahmad Hussain (retired hurt at 43) combined with Usman Khan and Farhan Yousaf to steady the ship.
Ali Hasan Baloch provided late fireworks, blasting 38 at a strike rate of 189 in the final powerplay, pushing Pakistan to 294. USA captain Utkarsh Srivastava bowled well for his 3 for 26.
USA lost Amrinder Gill early and slipped to 61 for 2 after Abdul Shuban struck twice. Sahil Garg and Srivastava added 66 runs to keep them interested, but Hussain removed the captain and Garg (75) followed shortly after.
Momin Qamar struck twice to halt momentum. Despite late efforts from Nitish Sudini (34) and Sahir Bhatia (14), Pakistan’s spinners closed things out. Hussain took the final wicket for a 69-run win.
Rain Spoils Scotland-Bangladesh Contest at Prince Edward School Ground
Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss, losing Zawad Abrar early to Finlay Jones in the second over. Rifat Beg took charge, adding 69 runs with captain Azizul Hakim for the second wicket, then 56 more with Kalam Siddiki.
Beg looked comfortable, scoring 75 with seven fours and a six before rain stopped play with Bangladesh at 161 for 4.
The rain-shortened contest reset Scotland’s target to 176 from 22 overs. Captain Thomas Knight fell in the second over. Max Chaplin and Theo Robinson added 40 runs before Md Samin Ratul broke through, then struck twice in consecutive balls to dismiss Robinson and Rory Grant.
Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure on, taking regular wickets and bringing themselves within one wicket of victory before rain returned. With no further play possible, the match was abandoned.
