Dominant Pakistan Chase Down 111 to Secure Super Sixes Win Over New Zealand
Harare : Sameer Minhas scored an unbeaten 76 to guide Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Super Sixes stage of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 111, the Green Shirts reached their goal in 17.1 overs, losing just two wickets. Openers Hamza Zahoor and Minhas provided a solid start, exchanging boundaries to put pressure on the New Zealand bowling attack. Zahoor fell for eight off 11 balls, including two fours, with the score at 18-1, but Minhas continued to dominate, taking Pakistan past the 50-run mark by the eighth over.
A 67-run partnership between Minhas and Usman Khan was broken when Luke Harrison dismissed Khan for 15, leaving Pakistan at 85-2. Skipper Farhan Yousaf added 11 crucial runs, but it was Minhas who struck the winning runs, remaining unbeaten on 76 off 59 balls with 10 fours and two sixes.
Batting first, New Zealand struggled from the start as opener Marco William Alpe was dismissed by Ali Raza for two. A brief stabilizing partnership between Hugo Bogue and captain Tom Jones was broken by Mohammad Sayyam, with New Zealand losing wickets at regular intervals.
Abdul Subhan emerged as the star bowler for Pakistan, finishing with figures of 4/11 in 6.3 overs. Ali Raza claimed three wickets, while Mohammad Sayyam and Momin Qamar took one wicket each, leaving New Zealand all out for 110.
The win keeps Pakistan in strong contention in the Super Sixes stage, with Minhas’ innings highlighting the depth and talent in the U19 squad.
