Pakistan U19 made a strong start with the ball after opting to bowl first against England U19 in Match 4 of Group B at the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026. From the outset, the Pakistan bowlers maintained discipline with their lines and lengths, ensuring England were never allowed to settle completely during the early phase of the innings.
The first breakthrough came when Joseph Moores was dismissed with the team score reading 33, setting the tone for Pakistan’s bowling effort. England attempted to rebuild, but regular wickets ensured the momentum stayed firmly with the bowling side. Ben Dawkins departed when England reached 55, and just 12 runs later, Ben Mayes followed him back to the pavilion, leaving England three down inside the first 15 overs.
Ahmed Hussain’s fielding brilliance stuns England captain
The defining moment of the innings arrived on the final ball of the 20th over, when English captain Thomas Rew fell in spectacular fashion. Facing Abdul Subhan, Rew attempted a firm drive on a full delivery outside off stump. While the timing was good, he failed to keep the ball along the ground.
Stationed at backward point, Ahmed Hussain reacted in a flash. Diving sharply to his right, Hussain completed a stunning two-handed catch inches above the turf. The fielder’s immediate nod after completing the grab suggested how much he relished the moment, while his teammates rushed in to congratulate him on what was undoubtedly one of the catches of the tournament so far.
The dismissal left England reeling, as their skipper’s wicket came at a crucial juncture, halting any plans of consolidation through the middle overs.
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Pakistan bowlers keep pressure through middle overs
Following Rew’s dismissal, Pakistan continued to apply pressure with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. The bowlers mixed pace cleverly and used the conditions well, forcing England batters to take risks. Although England managed to rotate strike and find the occasional boundary, wickets at regular intervals ensured they could not build a commanding partnership.
By the 40-over mark, England had reached 189/7, still searching for a strong finish to push their total towards a competitive score. With only a few wickets in hand, the onus shifted to the lower order to add quick runs in the death overs.
As the innings moved into its final phase, England looked to accelerate and stretch their total beyond the 200-run mark. Pakistan, however, remained focused on picking up the remaining wickets to restrict England to a manageable score.
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