Pakistan enter the World Cup with significant momentum after an impressive run in recent tournaments. They lifted the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Dubai with a dominant 191-run victory over arch-rivals India and followed it up by winning a tri-series in Zimbabwe, where they defeated the hosts by nine wickets in the final. These performances have reinforced Pakistan’s reputation as a powerhouse at the junior level.
Two-time champions of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup, having won the titles in 2004 and 2006, Pakistan will be eyeing a historic third crown. The 2026 edition of the tournament is being jointly hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe and will run from 15 January to 6 February.
Placed in Group C of the 16-team competition, Pakistan’s group-stage campaign will see them face Scotland on 19 January and hosts Zimbabwe on 22 January, with all their group matches scheduled at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare. A strong start today against England could significantly boost their chances of progressing comfortably to the Super Six stage.
The Super Six round will be held in Bulawayo and Harare from 24 January to 1 February, after which the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals on 3 and 4 February. The final of the tournament is set to take place on 6 February at the Harare Sports Club.
In preparation for the mega event, Pakistan U19 have undergone extensive training and played two warm-up matches in Zimbabwe. Their first warm-up game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain, while the second saw Pakistan secure a convincing 69-run victory over the USA, helping the squad adapt to local conditions.
The 15-member squad is led by Farhan Yousaf, with Usman Khan serving as vice-captain. Notably, only fast bowler Ali Raza has prior World Cup experience, having featured in the 2024 edition where he claimed nine wickets and played a key role as Pakistan narrowly lost a thrilling semi-final to Australia by one wicket.
Speaking ahead of the opening match, captain Farhan Yousaf expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and unity. He credited the U19 camp in Multan and the continuity of the support staff over the last six months for the team’s strong performances in recent tournaments.
“We have prepared well for the mega event. The players share a strong bond as we have been together for the last six months,” Farhan said, adding that the tri-series and warm-up matches helped the squad understand Zimbabwean conditions.
With a balanced squad, experienced support staff led by manager and mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed, and strong recent results, Pakistan will begin their U19 World Cup campaign today with confidence, ambition, and a clear goal of bringing home a third ICC U19 title.