Online Reporter
VIHAAN Malhotra’s unbeaten century, supported by fifties from Abhigyan Kundu and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, laid the foundation for India’s comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in their opening Super Sixes match of the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo.
India set a formidable target of 353 for the tournament co-hosts and never appeared threatened during the defence, eventually skittling Zimbabwe for 148 with 12.2 overs remaining.
India’s quicks, RS Ambrish and Udhav Mohan, shared five wickets, while captain Ayush Mhatre claimed three late strikes as Zimbabwe collapsed dramatically, losing their last six wickets for as many runs.
India signalled their intent early. Openers Sooryavanshi and Aaron George blasted 44 runs in the opening four overs before George miscued Panashe Mazai to mid-on. Sooryavanshi continued the assault, adding 56 from 38 balls alongside Mhatre.
Sooryavanshi reached his half-century off just 24 deliveries, drawing level with Mhatre for the joint-second fastest fifty of the tournament.
However, left-arm medium pacer Tatenda Chimugoro dented India’s momentum by removing both set batters in the space of three balls, offering Zimbabwe brief respite.
Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi added 29 for the fourth wicket, although India’s scoring rate briefly slowed. Chimugoro struck again, claiming his third wicket as Trivedi edged behind. The in-form Kundu then joined Malhotra, and together they seized control of the match.
The pair put on a commanding 113 off 115 balls, with Malhotra passing fifty for the first time in the competition and Kundu registering his second consecutive half-century. Kundu struck five fours and a six in his 62-ball 61 before picking out extra cover with an attempted inside out drive.
Malhotra received further support from Ambrish and Khilan Patel, ensuring India maintained their scoring pressure. Ambrish contributed to a 52-run stand before falling, after which Khilan and Malhotra accelerated once more, adding a blistering 47 off just 21 balls.
Malhotra completed his century in the penultimate over, courtesy of an inside edge that ran for four as he attempted a drive through the covers. He added another boundary soon after, while Khilan finished the innings in style with back to back sixes, taking India past 350 and ending unbeaten on 30 from 12 deliveries.
Zimbabwe’s chase began disastrously, with Ambrish trapping Nathaniel Hlabangana lbw second ball. Fellow opener Dhruv Patel edged Henil Patel behind in the fourth over, before Ambrish struck again in the ninth as India dominated the powerplay.
Kian Blignaut and Leeroy Chiwaula then mounted a dogged partnership, though their slow pace left Zimbabwe with little realistic hope of pursuit. They added 69 off 109 deliveries, with Blignaut striking four boundaries before Khilan bowled him.
Chiwaula reached a deserved half-century in the 29th over, while Chimugoro attempted to counterattack India’s spin bowlers, striking two sixes off Khilan and Kanishk Chouhan. Chiwaula was busy with his sweeps and punished width through the off side whenever available.
However, Mohan, playing his first match of the competition, produced a short, wide delivery that drew Chiwaula into an overreaching stroke, resulting in a slice to mid-off.
Michael Blignaut was unable to mirror his brother’s resistance, falling as Mhatre spun one through his defence. In the same over, Mhatre trapped Mudzengerere lbw and had Chimugoro holing out to long on, effectively ending the contest. Mohan sealed the victory in the next over by taking the final two wickets.
Meanwhile, Pakistan seamers Ali Raza and Abdul Subhan shared seven wickets, surging up the tournament’s wicket takers’ list as they dismissed New Zealand for just 110 in Harare. Pakistan chased down the target with 32.5 overs to spare, thanks largely to opener Sameer Minhas’ unbeaten 76 — his second consecutive not out fifty. The victory significantly boosted Pakistan’s net run rate, keeping Group 2 of the Super Sixes finely balanced ahead of their high profile clash with India.
With the ball, Pakistan needed only 13.3 overs to leave New Zealand reeling at 67 for 7. Marco William Alpe fell lbw to Raza in the third over. Tom Jones (10) and Hugo Bogue (39) briefly steadied the innings with a 48 run stand, but left-arm seamer Mohammad Sayyam broke through by removing Jones. Four balls later, Subhan dismissed Bogue, triggering another slide.
New Zealand’s middle order — batters five to eight — mustered just eight runs combined, as Brandon Matzopoulos and Jaskaran Sandhu both fell for ducks. A spirited 42-run contribution from the tail lifted New Zealand to 110, before they were bowled out in 28.3 overs.
Despite losing opener Hamza Zahoor early, Minhas continued his excellent form with aggressive strokeplay. Usman Khan added 15 in a 67-run stand, while Minhas hammered ten fours and two sixes.
No. 4 Farhan Yousaf (11*) joined him to finish the match in emphatic style, the pair striking two sixes off the final two deliveries with 197 balls remaining.
ESPNcricinfo
