HARARE: England and Afghanistan produced strong all-round performances as they recorded big wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies respectively in the U-19 World Cup on Sunday.
Rain forced a share of the spoils between New Zealand and the United States, but not before Nitesh Sudini lit up the stage with a terrific hundred for the United States.
Zimbabwe struggled to get going after being put into bat by England as the opening two, Nathaniel Hlabangana and Kupakwashe Muradzi, allowed 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 a further 32 runs before the latter was dismissed.
Captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere then took charge and carried his bat, but continued to lack partners as Zimbabwe almost managed to cross the 200-run mark in 50 overs, finishing with a score of 208.
Zimbabwe managed to dismiss England openers, Ben Dawkins and Joseph Moores cheaply, but Ben Mayes and captain Thomas Rew turned the attack on the Zimbabwean bowlers.
Both Rew (86) and Mayes (77) remained unbeaten as England won the match comfortably by eight wickets, chasing down the target in just 28 overs, putting them on the verge of qualifying for the Super Six stage.
England’s final group match is against Scotland on Wednesday, while Zimbabwe face Pakistan on Thursday.
Afghanistan opted to bat first after winning the toss and opening batters Khalid Ahmadzai and Osman Sadat justified the 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 restarted the innings in Afghanistan. While Sadat scored 88 points, he added 77 points 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 the West Indies.
Afghanistan were on track with the ball from the start, picking up three wickets in the first five overs.
For West Indies, Jewel Andrew was the lone warrior as he smashed a half-century against a persistent Afghan bowling attack, which managed to wrap up the Windies innings for 124.
Wahidullah Zadran and Khatir Stanikzai took three wickets each, with Nooristani Omarzai being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets in a 138-run win.
Afghanistan, now in the Super Six, face Tanzania in their next match on Wednesday, while the West Indies face South Africa on Thursday.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first and brought out all their weapons, blowing away the United States’ top spot to leave them reeling at 40/5 in ten overs.
Shiv Shani provided the early resistance as his knock of 33 slowed the New Zealand charge, giving the United States a chance to rebuild.
Nitish Sudini, who came in at number seven for the United States, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and led the counterattack. Creating a 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Adit Kappa, he led the United States to cross the 200-run mark.
Even after Kappa’s dismissal, Sudini continued his efforts to take the United States to 253 from their 50 overs, remaining unbeaten on 117.
His shot breathed new life into the United States who seemed on their knees in the first part of their round.
As New Zealand started their innings with a bang, smashing 12 runs in the very first over, the heavens opened. There was no further action as the game was called and the points were split.
New Zealand will face India next Saturday while the United States will face Bangladesh on Friday.
Published in Dawn, January 19, 2026
