The historic Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo became the epicenter of cricketing nerves and unbridled joy on February 1, 2026. In a high-stakes Super Sixes, Group 2 encounter of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, India Under-19s didn’t just win a match; they claimed bragging rights by eliminating arch-rivals Pakistan with a clinical 58-run victory. The 36th match of the tournament lived up to its billing, as the Young Blues displayed nerves of steel to defend a competitive total, sparking celebrations across the Indian diaspora.
Vedant Trivedi and the late-order surge set the tone for India
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India faced an immediate storm. Pakistan’s bowling spearhead, Mohammad Sayyam, struck gold in the 8th over, removing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (30) and captain Ayush Mhatre (0) in back-to-back deliveries. When Abdul Subhan cleaned up Aaron George shortly after, India was reeling at 47/3.
However, the middle order showed immense character. Vedant Trivedi became the anchor India desperately needed. His patient yet authoritative 68 off 98 balls stabilized the innings. Trivedi found able partners in Vihaan Malhotra (21) and Abhigyan Kundu (16), taking India past the 150-mark.
The real momentum shift occurred in Powerplay 3. Just as Pakistan looked to wrap up the tail, Kanishk Chouhan (35) and Khilan Patel (21) unleashed a blistering 50-run partnership for the 8th wicket in just 30 balls. This late-innings assault pushed India to a formidable 252 all out in 49.5 overs. Subhan was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/33, but the psychological damage of the late-order runs was already done.
Ayush Mhatre and Khilan Patel choke Pakistan’s chase
Pakistan’s response started with intent but lacked the discipline required for a chase of 253. Despite an early hiccup losing Sameer Minhas for 9, Hamza Zahoor (42) and Usman Khan built a solid foundation. Usman, in particular, looked dangerous, reaching a well-crafted half-century (66 off 92 balls) and keeping Pakistan in the hunt at 151/2.
The turning point arrived in the 30th over when RS Ambrish dismissed the Pakistani captain, Farhan Yousaf, for 38. This sparked a catastrophic collapse. India’s captain, Mhatre, compensated for his duck with the bat by turning the game with the ball. His tactical off-spin accounted for three crucial wickets, including the set Usman, finishing with elite figures of 3/21.
The pressure from Chouhan (1/30 in 10 overs) created a stranglehold that Pakistan couldn’t break. Patel then polished off the tail, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs. Pakistan lost their final 8 wickets for just 43 runs, eventually folding for 194 in 46.2 overs. As the final wicket fell, the stadium erupted, confirming Pakistan’s exit from the tournament and India’s dominance in the age-group category.
Also WATCH: Indian captain Ayush Mhatre avoids handshake with Pakistan skipper at toss in U19 World Cup 2026
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨 AYUSH MHATRE LED INDIA U-19 QUALIFIED INTO THE SEMI-FINAL IN WORLD CUP 💛🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/RXl67BeWll
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 1, 2026
Comeback from INDIA U19 against PAK 🇮🇳💪
Pakistan were cruising at 151/2, but India pulled it back brilliantly and restricted them to 184/8 👏
Finally, a solid performance from Ayush Mhatre 🎯
3/18 in 7 overs – game-changing spell 💥🔥#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/DHlWVWGzmG— cinecricX (@cinecricX) February 1, 2026
🚨 INDIA HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMI FINALS OF THE U19 WORLD CUP. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/f5GaEfavAF
— SUDERGODARA (@SUNDERGODARA1) February 1, 2026
✓Congratulations team India U19..
✓Qualified for WC semi final.
✓Pakistan to qualify they had to finish match in 34 overs but the way they played looks like they were more interested in winning the match than qualification #U19WorldCup2026#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/fTrOqPUL2A— Vishal S. patil (@patilweshall) February 1, 2026
India defeated Pakistan in U19 World Cup
– India qualified for semis
– Pakistan out of the tournamentAyush and khilan picked 3 wickets 💛 pic.twitter.com/LTPsECtaM1
— Prakash (@definitelynot05) February 1, 2026
India beat USA by 6 wickets.
– India beat BAN by 18 runs.
– India beat NZ by 7 wickets.
– India beat ZIM by 204 runs.
– India beat PAK by 48 runs.5 OUT OF 5 WINS FOR Team INDIA IN THIS U19 WORLD CUP – THE DOMINATION. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/RdEzAdEmON
— Rakeshcricket (@Rcm494) February 1, 2026
And India defeated Pakistan in U19 WC, they can’t win U19 even after doing age fraud and sending 25+ guys. So they are afraid of being humiliated in T20WC against India so this boycott drama. #INDvsPAK#U19WorldCup2026 #T20WorldCup2026 https://t.co/lLU2ma2MfE pic.twitter.com/kNXvTYrZb3
— chirag khetan (@chiragkhetan1) February 1, 2026
🚨 INDIA THRASHED PAKISTAN AT THE U19 WORLD CUP. 🚨#U19WorldCup #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FGMJswkGkp
— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@CrickRitesh_18) February 1, 2026
India U19 beats Pakistan U19 by 58 runs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9gd5O59KDm
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) February 1, 2026
AFGHANISTAN U19 VS INDIA U19 SEMI-FINAL IN WORLD CUP 🏆
– Afghanistan will face India in U19 World cup Semi-final on 4th February. ✅ pic.twitter.com/6XrDknet6T
— ACB Xtra (@acb_190) February 1, 2026
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya included in India A squad for warm-up matches
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