England, Afghanistan pick up big wins in U19 World Cup

England and Afghanistan produced solid all-round displays as they bagged big wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies respectively in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.

Rain forced a share of the spoils between New Zealand and USA but not before Nitesh Sudini lit up the stage with a terrific hundred for USA.

Here’s how the three games panned out:

England power past Zimbabwe | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026

England beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets

Zimbabwe struggled to get going after being put in to bat by England as both the openers, Nathaniel Hlabangana and Kupakwashe Muradzi, departed just eight runs between them.

Kian Blignaut and Dhruv Patel steadied the ship for Zimbabwe with a 45-run stand. The partnership was followed by Tatenda Chimugoro combining alongside Patel for another 32 runs before the latter was dismissed.

Captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere then took the charge and carried his bat through but kept on running out of partners as Zimbabwe just about managed to cross the 200-run mark in their 50 overs, finishing with a score of 208.

A humongous six from Rew | U19 CWC 2026

Zimbabwe managed to dismiss the English openers, Ben Dawkins and Joseph Moores cheaply but Ben Mayes and captain Thomas Rew took the attack to the Zimbabwe bowlers.

Rew (86) and Mayes (77) both remained unbeaten as England won the game comfortably by eight wickets, chasing down the target in just 28 overs, putting them on the cusp of qualification for the Super Six stage.

England’s final group game is against Scotland on Wednesday while Zimbabwe face Pakistan on Thursday.

A statement win for Afghanistan | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026

Afghanistan beat West Indies by 138 runs

*(Scorecard)*

Afghanistan opted to bat first after winning the toss and the opening batters, Khalid Ahmadzai and Osman Sadat, justified that decision with a solid 86-run stand. Vitel Lawes broke the partnership, making way for a Windies comeback with two more wickets.

Captain Mehboob Taskin then came out to bat, joining Sadat at the crease as the duo revived the Afghanistan innings. While Sadat scored 88, he added 77 runs in his partnership with Taskin. Led by the skipper, Afghanistan managed to post a score of 262/6 in their 50 overs.

Jakeem Pollard and Lawes grabbed three wickets each for West Indies.

Broadcast details for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

Sadat special anchors Afghanistan | U19 CWC 2026

Afghanistan were on the mark with the ball from the get-go, picking up three wickets in the first five overs.

For West Indies, Jewel Andrew was the lone warrior as he bagged a half-century against a persistent Afghan bowling attack, who managed to wrap up the Windies innings for 124.

Wahidullah Zadran and Khatir Stanikzai grabbed three wickets each with Nooristani Omarzai being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets in a 138-run win.

Afghanistan, now into the Super Six, face Tanzania in their next match on Wednesday with West Indies taking on South Africa on Thursday.