Pakistan Under-19 Defeat USA U19 by 69 Runs in ICC U19 World Cup Warm-Up

The ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2025/26 is gearing up, and the warm-up games are giving us a taste of what’s to come. One to watch was Pakistan Under-19s against the United States Under-19 team on January 13, 2026, at the Bulawayo Athletic Club. Pakistan Under-19s won this 50-over practice match against USA U19s by 69 runs, it was good to see new players show their skill, some good tactics, and a few things we didn’t expect.

How the Game Started

The United States Under-19s won the coin toss and chose to field first, letting Pakistan set the score. The USA probably wanted to see how the pitch played at Bulawayo and put some pressure on Pakistan’s batters early on, while Pakistan aimed to get some good batting practice in and form partnerships to challenge the USA bowlers.

Pakistan Under-19 Innings: Solid Batting

Pakistan’s batting was built on strong partnerships. Sameer Minhas was the star, scoring 74 off just 55 balls. He was able to score runs and punish bad deliveries. Minhas retired, which was a smart move by Pakistan to let their lower-order batsmen get some time at the crease before the real games start.

Ahmed Hussain also chipped in with a valuable 43 off 62 balls, though he had to retire with a minor injury. His contribution helped keep Pakistan’s momentum going, especially after a few early wickets. The captain, Farhan Yousaf, played it safe with 19 off 23 balls, keeping the innings ticking over.

Huzaifa Ahsan added 38 off 45, and Ali Hassan Baloch smashed a quick 36 off just 19 balls, helping Pakistan reach a good score of 294/8 in their 50 overs. Their innings had a mix of careful shots and aggressive hitting. Pakistan showed they can bat deep and recover from setbacks, which is great preparation for the tournament.

USA Under-19 Bowling

Even though Pakistan batted well, the USA Under-19 bowlers had some decent spells. Abdul Subhan took 2 wickets for 27 runs in 7 overs, showing good control. Utkarsh Srivastava was impressive, taking 3 wickets for just 26 runs, but overall, the USA bowlers struggled to keep the Pakistani batsmen quiet. Rishabh Shimpi and Ritvik Appidi bowled tightly but couldn’t get those important wickets when they needed them.

The USA also gave away too many extras, like wides and no-balls, which put pressure on their bowlers and helped Pakistan reach that big total. Pakistan took advantage of every chance they got.

USA Under-19 Innings: Fight but Not Enough

Chasing 295, the USA Under-19s put up a fight but couldn’t quite get there. Sahil Garg top-scored with 75 off 83 balls showing skill and power. Utkarsh Srivastava, the USA captain, added 36 off 42, helping to build partnerships. Nitish Sudini scored 34 off 40, but wickets kept falling at the wrong times, stopping the USA from building any real momentum.

The USA lost their first wicket early and struggled to form partnerships after that. Key players like Amrinder Gill, Arjun Mahesh, and Sahil Garg were dismissed, which hurt their chances. The Pakistani bowlers, especially Usman Khan and Momin Qamar, kept the pressure on and took wickets when it mattered most. Usman Khan was important in keeping the USA batsmen quiet.

Bowling Standouts: Pakistan’s Plans

Pakistan Under-19s had a good mix of fast and spin bowling, they also bowled smart as well. Utkarsh Srivastava’s 3/26 was a highlight. Momin Qamar’s 2/24 and Abdul Subhan’s 2/27 also helped keep the USA’s innings under control. Even bowlers like Usman Khan, Ali Hassan Baloch, and Ahmed Hussain contributed.

For the USA, Ali Raza, Niqab Shafiq, and Abdul Subhan tried to slow Pakistan down, but it wasn’t enough since Pakistan’s batting was good and they were batting with a plan. The USA’s fielding was okay but couldn’t stop those key runs that helped Pakistan win.

Talking Points

Overall, the match was fair, but some decisions got people talking. Pakistan’s choice to retire two batsmen, Sameer Minhas and Ahmed Hussain made it possible for their lower-order players to get some practice time, that was a bit strange for a warm-up match. Some people wanted to know about the USA’s fielding choices and bowling changes.

Another thing people were talking about was Ahmed Hussain getting a minor injury. Pakistan’s medical team kept a close eye on him, trying to balance playing him in the match with keeping him safe for the World Cup.

Numbers to Note

This warm-up match saw some good performances from the younger players. Sameer Minhas’ 74 off 55 balls was one of the highest scores for Pakistan Under-19s in warm-up games. Ahmed Hussain’s 43 showed he can adapt in tough times. Ali Hassan Baloch’s quick 36 was a good show of aggression.

For the USA, Sahil Garg’s 75 was a positive sign. Utkarsh Srivastava’s 36 and Nitish Sudini’s 34 also showed some promise, even though the team struggled overall.

From a bowling point of view, Pakistan’s varied attack, including Utkarsh Srivastava’s 3 wickets and Usman Khan’s key wickets, made the difference. Abdul Subhan’s 2 wickets also added to Pakistan’s bowling strength.

What This Means

Even though it was just a warm-up match, it was important for both teams to see how their players were performing and see their tactics. Pakistan Under-19s showed they are a strong team in the U19 World Cup warm-up matches, particularly batting and bowling. The USA Under-19s gained some experience against a good team. They also realized they need to build better partnerships if they want to win.

The pitch at Bulawayo had something for both the batsmen and bowlers. Pakistan adapted well to the conditions and used both fast and spin bowling, which gave them an advantage. The USA showed they have potential but need to close the gap if they want to be competitive in the main tournament.

In Conclusion

Pakistan Under-19s beat the USA Under-19s by 69 runs in a match that showed planning, talent, and player depth. Sameer Minhas, Ahmed Hussain, and Ali Hassan Baloch led the way with the bat, while Utkarsh Srivastava and Usman Khan led a disciplined bowling effort.

The match gave coaches, selectors, and players ideas before the ICC U19 World Cup. Pakistan’s planning and tactics have made them strong contenders, while the USA will try to learn from this experience and improve their team’s teamwork and game plan. With some good performances on show, the Bulawayo warm-up match was a good way for both teams to test their skills and get ready for the World Cup.