Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S campaign in the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 got off to a disappointing start after their opening match against Scotland was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The match, scheduled for Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, was called off due to a wet outfield at the Highfield facility.
Despite several pitch inspections throughout the day, match officials eventually deemed the conditions unsafe for play.
With the surface failing to improve, the game was abandoned, leaving Zimbabwe frustrated at the lack of action in their tournament opener.
While Zimbabwe were left to rue the conditions in the capital, one of the pre tournament favourites, India, began their campaign with a six wicket (D/L Method) victory over the United States of America (USA) at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
India won the toss and chose to field, bowling out the USA for 107 runs in 35,2 overs, thanks largely to a five wicket haul from Henil Patel. Chasing a revised target of 96 in 37 overs, India reached 99/4 in 17,2 overs to secure maximum points.
India started brilliantly with the ball, with Patel striking in the second over as wickets fell at regular intervals. Patel, who finished with figures of 5/16 from seven overs, first had Amrinder Gill caught for one off seven balls before bowling American captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a five ball duck.
His third wicket came when he caught Arjun Mahesh for 16 from 29 deliveries. Patel then dismissed Sabrish Prasad for seven off 17 balls before completing his five wicket haul by bowling Rishabh Shimpi for a golden duck.
He received solid support from Deepesh Devendran, RS Ambrish, Khilan Patel and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who each claimed one wicket. Nitish Sudini top scored for the USA with 36 from 52 balls.
India did not have an entirely straightforward chase, as the USA bowlers fought hard. India lost their first wicket in the third over when Ritvik Appidi bowled Sooryavanshi for two off four balls, leaving the score at 12/1.
Following a rain delay, Appidi struck again, removing Vedant Trivedi for two, reducing India to 21/2 at the end of the fifth over. Another breakthrough followed in the sixth over, when Shimpi had Ayush Mhatre caught for 19 from 19 balls.
A steady fourth wicket partnership worth 45 runs between Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu shifted the momentum back towards India. The stand was broken when Srivastava had Malhotra caught for 18 from 17 balls.
Kundu and Kanishk Chouhan carried India home, with Kundu finishing unbeaten on 42 from 41 balls. He sealed the victory with a towering six when India required just three more runs. Chouhan remained not out on 10 from 14 deliveries. Appidi was the pick of the USA bowlers, claiming 2/24 in five overs.
Meanwhile, in Namibia, the West Indies defeated Tanzania by five wickets.
The tournament continues today with three fixtures. England face Pakistan at Takashinga Cricket Club, while defending champions Australia take on Ireland in Namibia. Afghanistan will also be in action, playing against South Africa, likewise in Namibia.
