HARARE: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the Super Sixes stage of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026. The match is taking place at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Pakistan enters the game with two points carried forward from their win against Zimbabwe. They now need victories in both their Super Sixes matches to reach the semi-finals, scheduled for February 3 and 4.
The top two teams from each Super Sixes group will advance to the knockout stage. The tournament final will be held at Harare Sports Club on February 6.
Pakistan: Sameer Minhas, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Mohammad Shayan, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza.
New Zealand: Marco Alpe (wk), Hugo Bogue, Tom Jones (c), Snehith Reddy, Jacob Cotter, Brandon Matzopoulos, Jaskaran Sandhu, Callum Samson, Mason Clarke, Hunter Shore, Luke Harrison.
Pakistan’s decision to bowl first comes after careful assessment of pitch conditions. The team captain, Farhan Yousaf, said early wickets could put pressure on New Zealand and provide a strong start.
New Zealand’s lineup includes captain Tom Jones and wicketkeeper Marco Alpe. The team is looking to build a solid total batting first. Both sides are expected to field their best XI to secure semi-final qualification.
Fans are watching closely as the U19 World Cup continues to showcase young talent from around the world. Analysts say Pakistan’s bowlers need to perform consistently to restrict New Zealand and gain a competitive edge.
The tournament highlights rising cricket stars and gives them a platform to compete internationally. Strong performances here often lead to future opportunities in senior national teams. Read our full news on PCB Confirms T20I Squad; Series Against Australia Next Week to see the complete team lineup and match schedule.
Officials confirmed that match proceedings are being held under strict ICC regulations. The pitch at Harare Sports Club is expected to favor bowlers in early overs, which could influence Pakistan’s strategy.
Pakistan aims to continue its winning momentum from the group stage. A successful performance today could strengthen their position in the Super Sixes and boost morale ahead of the semi-finals.
