HARARE: Pacer Ali Raza starred as Pakistan beat Scotland by six wickets to take the lead in the U-19 World Cup at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Monday.
Ali took four wickets to help Pakistan bowl out Scotland for a paltry 187 before a century-deciding match between Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain took the lead over the line.
Pakistan opted to field after winning the toss and Ali Raza immediately justified his decision by launching Theo Robinson and Max Chaplin in the first over with full and straight deliveries.
Captain Thomas Knight made his 37, but when he was bowled by Momin Qamar (3-46), Scotland were 115 for six.
Finlay Jones (33) and Manu Saraswat (25) compiled a valiant seventh-wicket stand of 58, but there was little resistance thereafter as Scotland were bowled out with 11 balls to spare.
In reply, Ollie Jones (2-41) removed both Pakistani openers in quick succession to leave the chasers 48 for two.
Usman and Ahmed then combined for 111 to calm the nerves. Usman made 75 off 85 balls and Ahmed, who had earlier pulled off a brilliant deep dive to remove Saraswat, contributed a patient 47 off 92.
Both fell before the job was done, but captain Farhan Yousaf (18, not out) saw his team win the match with 6.5 overs remaining.
In other matches, South Africa rode on centuries from Mohammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles to beat Tanzania by 329 runs in Windhoek, while Sri Lanka cruised past Ireland by 106 runs thanks to captain Vimath Dinsara’s 95.
Published in Dawn, January 20, 2026
