Champions Australia victorious as England and Afghanistan also triumph

Australia began the defence of their ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup crown with an eight-wicket victory over Ireland.

Steven Hogan starred for the 2024 winners, with 115 in the chase as he and Nitesh Samuel put on 186 after Ireland had batted well to reach 235 for seven.

The other two matches were rather tighter, with some fine bowling from England helping them see off Pakistan by 37 runs, despite being restricted to just 210 batting first.

And in the closest match of the lot, Afghanistan survived a brilliant knock from Jason Rowles to beat South Africa by 28 runs.

England seamers set up crucial victory

Having elected to bowl, Pakistan took wickets at regular intervals as Ali Raza dismissed Joe Moores before Ahmed Hussain took the important wicket of Ben Dawkins (33).

From 55 for two, Hussain then removed Ben Mayes for 20 before captain Thomas Rew fell for 14, leaving England 90 for four.

Caleb Falconer led the fightback, combining with Ralphie Albert to put on 80, including a 22-run over off Usman Khan, before Hussain (3/38) broke the partnership by bowling Albert for 25.

Falconer nicked behind off Ali Raza for 66 and when Sebastian Morgan and Farhan Ahmed also fell cheapy, the latter brilliantly run out by Farhan Yousaf, Pakistan were on top.

England inched past 200 before Manny Lumsden was brilliantly caught behind by Hamza Zahoor off Abdul Subhan to wrap up the innings on 210.

It quickly became clear that they had a competitive total, with Pakistan’s chase getting off to a tricky start.

Sameer Minhas was first to go for 10 in the fourth over, with Alex Green (2/21) adding the other opener, Mohammad Shayan, soon after.

When Usman became the third wicket to fall, Pakistan were in all sorts of bother at 28 for three.

Having impressed with the ball, Ahmed Hussain could not follow it up with the bat, trapped leg before by Farhan Ahmed for 12.

Huzaifa Ahsan was then brilliantly snagged in the deep by Lumsden for 17 off a full toss from Albert, who also did for Hamza.

Skipper Farhan Yousaf responded by adding 48 with Abdul Subhan, before a misunderstanding saw the latter run out.

With the required rate above a run a ball, the captain was forced to take some chances and he paid the price off James Minto (2/23), caught at third man for 65, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes.

Farhan Ahmed snaffled Umar Zaib off Lumsden for 10 before Ali Raza was run out to wrap up a 37-run victory.

Faisal and Khalid fire Afghanistan past South Africa

Having been put into bat, Afghanistan lost Osman Sadat for four off Bayanda Majola (3/59) to bring Faisal Khan to the crease.

He and Khalid Ahmadzai proceeded to put on a brilliant 152 before Majola took his second removing Khalid for 74.

That prompted a collapse as Faisal, Mahboob Khan and Aziz Mia Khil all departed with Afghanistan going from 183 for one to 186 for five.

Uzairullah Niazai provided the resistance however, making a fine unbeaten 51 that allowed them to reach 266 from their 50 overs despite the best efforts of Corne Botha (3/45).

In response, South Africa flew out of the blocks, scoring 18 in the first over, but it came at the cost of Adnaan Lagadien (10).

Jorich van Schalkwyk (8) and captain Muhammad Bulbulia (17) then found themselves bogged down and both departed with 50 not yet up.

That brought Jason Rowles to the crease, and at one point it seemed he might see South Africa home on his own.

He added 60 with Armaan Manack (15), then 46 with Paul James (4) but eventually he was denied a century, run out for 98 trying to get back for a second.

That left South Africa on 179 for six, with keeper Lethabo Phahlamohlaka next to go for 22 off 20 deliveries.

From that point, Botha (25) and Daniel Bosman (20) hit back, adding 45 before falling off successive balls just as the target had started to look attainable.

A final run out sealed victory for Afghanistan by 28 runs to kick off their campaign in style.

Champions off the mark against Ireland

Australia were challenged by Ireland before opening their account with an eight-wicket success.

Wicket-keeper Freddie Ogilby was in good nick at the top of the order for Ireland, making 49 to help set the platform for his side.

While he lost partners James West (11) and Sebastian Dijkstra (12), Ogilby and Robert O’Brien combined to add 43 before the opener nicked one behind off Will Malajczuk.

O’Brien then picked up the baton, hitting nine fours on his way to 79, but regular wickets for Charles Lachmund (3/41) kept the run-rate in check.

Adam Leckey (22) and Marko Bates (14) provided some useful runs with Ireland eventually finishing on 235 for seven from their 50 overs.

Malaczjuk (22) fell cheaply in the chase before Nitesh Samuel and Steven Hogan took over.

While Samuel was relatively measured in his approach, Hogan was a little more attacking, scoring the first century of the tournament, eventually dismissed for 115 from 111 balls after a partnership of 186.

By that point, the victory was all but assured, with Oliver Peake (15 not out) joining Samuel, who finished unbeaten on 77 to wrap up the win with just over 10 overs remaining.

Scores in brief

England v Pakistan – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

England 210 all out in 46.5 overs (Caleb Falconer 66, Ben Dawkins 33; Ahmed Hussain 3/38, Abdul Subhan 2/24)

Pakistan 173 all out in 46.3 overs (Farhan Yousaf 65, Momin Qamar 18 not out; Alex Green 2/21, James Minto 2/23, Ralphie Albert 2/23)

Result: England won by 37 runs

Australia v Ireland – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

Ireland 235/7 in 50 overs (Robert O’Brien 79, Freddie Ogilby 49; Charles Lachmund 3/41, John James 1/33)

Australia 237/2 in 39.4 overs (Steven Hogan 115, Nitesh Samuel 77 not out; Luke Murray 1/46, Reuben Wilson 1/51)

Result: Australia won by eight wickets

Afghanistan v South Africa – High Performance Oval, Windhoek

Afghanistan 266/8 in 50 overs (Faisal Khan 81, Khalid Ahmadzai 74, Uzairullah Niazai 51 not out; Corne Botha 3/45, Bayanda Majola 3/59)

South Africa 238 all out in 47.4 overs (Jason Rowles 98, Corne Botha 25; Khatir Stanikzai 2/46, Abdul Aziz 2/49)

Result: Afghanistan won by 28 runs

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