India Complete Perfect Group Stage with Dominant Win Over New Zealand; Japan Make History at U19 World Cup 2026

The ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 witnessed two compelling narratives unfold as five-time champions India completed their group stage dominance while Japan etched their name in tournament history with a maiden victory.

India's Clinical Display Against New Zealand

Bowling Excellence Sets the Tone

India's decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved decisive as their pace and spin attack dismantled New Zealand's top order with ruthless efficiency. The Kiwis found themselves in deep trouble at 17/3 inside 7.1 overs, with the Indian bowlers extracting movement and maintaining impeccable lines.

Despite the match being reduced to 37 overs per side, the pressure from India's bowling unit remained relentless. Mohamed Enaan was among the wicket-takers, claiming Jacob Cotter's scalp with a clever piece of bowling that saw the batter's reverse sweep attempt end in disaster.

New Zealand's Brave Lower-Order Resistance

To their credit, New Zealand's lower order showed commendable fight. Jacob Cotter contributed 23 runs before his dismissal, while Callum Samson remained unbeaten on 37 and Selwin Sanjay added a valuable 28. Their collective efforts pushed New Zealand to 135, giving their bowlers something to defend.

Explosive Indian Chase

New Zealand struck early, removing Aaron George cheaply, but what followed was an absolute masterclass in aggressive batting. Captain Ayush Mhatre and the explosive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi launched a devastating assault on the New Zealand bowling attack.

The duo compiled a breathtaking partnership of 76 runs from just 39 deliveries, effectively ending the contest as a competition. Mhatre's exhibition of flawless hitting and Sooryavanshi's power-hitting left the opposition with no answers.

Even after both set batters departed, Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi completed the formalities with minimal fuss. India reached their target in just 13.3 overs, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory and a perfect 3-0 group stage record.

Japan's Historic Breakthrough Against Tanzania

Tanzania's Promising Start Crumbles

In the 13th-16th playoff bracket, Tanzania won the toss and elected to bat. Despite losing Karim Kiseto in the second over, they recovered well through a substantial 79-run partnership between Acrey Pascal and Ayaan Shariff.

Pascal brought up his half-century, showcasing his batting credentials, before falling shortly after reaching the milestone. Rehaan Ahtif joined Shariff to continue Tanzania's rebuilding effort.

Parmar Triggers Dramatic Collapse

Nihar Parmar emerged as the match-defining player, breaking the partnership by dismissing Shariff. What followed was a catastrophic collapse as Tanzania lost seven wickets for a mere 13 runs, folding for 131 inside 39 overs.

Parmar finished with outstanding figures of 4/30, but his contribution to Japan's historic day was far from over.

All-Round Brilliance Seals Victory

Opening the batting, Parmar continued his magnificent form by anchoring Japan's chase. He forged a match-winning 122-run partnership with Taylor Waugh, completely neutralizing the Tanzanian bowling attack.

Parmar remained unbeaten on 53 as Japan cruised to victory in just 28.2 overs, recording their first-ever win in ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup history. His all-round performance rightfully earned him the Player of the Match award.

Looking Ahead: Super Six Stage Awaits

India's flawless group stage performance positions them perfectly for the knockout rounds. The five-time champions will face Zimbabwe in their first Super Six match on Tuesday, where they'll look to continue their dominant run.

New Zealand, despite the heavy defeat, will regroup quickly as they prepare to take on Pakistan on the same day in what promises to be a must-win encounter.

For Japan, this historic victory marks a significant milestone for cricket development in the country. Their performance demonstrates the growing global reach of the sport and provides inspiration for emerging cricket nations worldwide.

Captain Mhatre's Leadership on Display

Ayush Mhatre led from the front with his explosive batting display, setting the tone for his team's aggressive approach. His willingness to take the attack to the opposition from the outset reflects the confident mindset within the Indian camp as they march toward their sixth title.