Zim U19 vs PAK U19, 19th Match Harare, Jan 22 2026 – Minhas Leads Pakistan to Victory

Pakistan Under-19s Crush Zimbabwe in Group C Game

Pakistan Under-19s totally outplayed Zimbabwe Under-19s, winning by 8 wickets in their ICC Under-19 World Cup match in Harare. The game was on January 22, 2026. They chased down Zimbabwe’s low score of 129 in just 26.2 overs.

Sameer Minhas was the man of the match, smashing an unbeaten 74 off 75 balls, including six 4s and three 6s. He kept his cool and made sure Pakistan got the runs after a couple of early wickets. Usman Khan scored 26, and Ahmed Hussain added 24 not out, helping Pakistan cruise to victory.

Zimbabwe U19 Couldn’t Put Up Enough Runs

Zimbabwe Under-19s, batting first after Pakistan won the toss, had a tough time against Pakistan’s tight bowling. Nathaniel Hlabangana tried his best with 59 off 85 balls, hitting seven 4s and a 6, but no one else really helped out. They only managed 128 in 35.5 overs.

Their innings kept losing wickets regularly. Ali Raza was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking three wickets for only 16 runs. Mohammad Sayyam and Abdul Subhan grabbed four wickets together. Brandon Senzere scored 15, but the guys in the middle and lower order couldn’t build on their starts, leaving Zimbabwe with a small total to defend.

Pakistan Bowls Really Well

Pakistan’s bowlers were spot-on, keeping Zimbabwe to just 128. Ali Raza bowled great lines and lengths, causing trouble for Zimbabwe’s batters. Mohammad Sayyam got some early wickets, getting rid of Dhruv Patel and captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere cheaply. Abdul Subhan’s 2/14 was all about control and accuracy, and Ahmed Hussain took a key wicket to keep Zimbabwe under pressure.

The Pakistan bowlers worked together, keeping the pressure on, bowling tight, and setting smart fields. Zimbabwe relied too much on Nathaniel Hlabangana, and Pakistan’s balanced attack made sure they never got going.

Sameer Minhas Leads Pakistan’s Run Chase

Sameer Minhas was the key for Pakistan, leading the chase with a mature innings for an Under-19 player. Minhas got to his fifty off just 49 balls, scoring at a good rate. He kept the scoreboard ticking over and punished bad balls, making sure Zimbabwe never had a chance.

Usman Khan hit a quick 26 off 23 balls, while Ahmed Hussain made sure there were no late dramas, ending up not out on 24. Minhas and Hussain put on a good partnership to see Pakistan home easily, showing how well they’re playing in Group C.

Important Moments in the Game

Zimbabwe’s innings depended on Hlabangana’s 59, but losing early wickets put them in trouble. Pakistan getting early wickets in the first few overs set the tone for the match, with Kupakwashe Muradzi, Kian Blignaut, and Dhruv Patel all going cheaply.

Pakistan’s batting never let Zimbabwe back in, with Minhas’ innings setting up a comfortable chase. The game was won when Minhas and Hussain settled things down after Usman Khan got out, making sure they reached the target of 129 without any problems.

Anything Interesting?

The match was pretty straightforward. Sameer Minhas deservedly won Player of the Match, showing he can handle pressure and guide Pakistan in a chase.

Zimbabwe’s captain, Simbarashe Mudzengerere, played his 13th game as captain for Zimbabwe U19s, beating Dylan Higgins’ record. It was a good moment for him, even though they lost, showing his leadership in youth cricket.

Ali Raza’s bowling figures of 3/16 were excellent, and the young Pakistan team looked composed, fit, and tactically smart, which is important for doing well in the tournament.

What I thought about the game:

Pakistan’s Under-19 team played really well. Their bowling was on point, and their batting was smart. Sameer Minhas was especially good. He played with a cool head, way beyond his age. He stayed calm when it mattered and really held the innings together, which is a great sign for Pakistan.

Zimbabwe’s Under-19s had trouble building partnerships. They depended too much on Hlabangana. The guys lower down the order couldn’t make the most of their starts, so they ended up with a score that wasn’t enough. Pakistan’s bowlers were disciplined and did exactly what they needed to do, not giving Zimbabwe any chance to get back in the game.

Keep an eye on Minhas, Raza, and Sayyam for Pakistan. They’ve all proved they can really change the game in different ways. Zimbabwe needs to work on getting those partnerships going and staying calm under pressure.

What I think will happen next:

Pakistan’s Under-19s will have some tough games coming up in Group C. Minhas, Hussain, and Raza will probably be key players. If Pakistan bats second, Minhas might be the guy to guide them home again. And Raza’s bowling could get them some important wickets against stronger teams.

Zimbabwe’s Under-19s need more batters to chip in during the next games. Hlabangana needs some support from the middle order if they want to post good scores. Bowler Panashe Mazai and Michael Blignaut will have to bowl consistently to make things difficult for their opponents, like Pakistan did to them.

The next games in Group C will be really important for deciding who gets to the next stage. Pakistan will be confident after that big win and will want to keep that going. Zimbabwe had a bad game, but they can still challenge the other teams if they sort out those batting collapses and keep their bowling disciplined.

My final thoughts:

Pakistan’s Under-19s were in control from start to finish and got an easy 8-wicket win over Zimbabwe’s Under-19s. Minhas’ innings was spot on, and Pakistan’s bowlers never let Zimbabwe get going.

This game showed that Zimbabwe relies too much on individual performances. Hlabangana scored almost half of their runs. But Pakistan was consistent, balanced, and did well in both batting and bowling. That makes them a team to watch in the ICC U19 World Cup.

This win puts Pakistan in a good spot in Group C. Zimbabwe needs to take a good look at themselves and improve if they want to stay in the competition. The next games will really test how tough both teams are, how well they can adapt, and how strong they are mentally when the pressure is on.