India U19 vs Pakistan U19 (L) and Sarfaraz Ahmed using Phone (R) (Source: AFP)In a series of setbacks for Pakistan cricket fans, Pakistan U19 were eliminated from the ongoing U19 World Cup 2026 after losing to India U19 in a 'do or die' game. Ayush Mhatre’s team defeated Pakistan by 58 runs to reach the tournament’s semi-finals. After the game, none of the Pakistan contingent members attended the official press conference. This led to increased speculation and discussion among fans about allegations involving the Pakistan U19 cricket team and its management.Pakistan U19’s World Cup exit under scanner amidst ‘fixing’ allegationsThe fans on social media came up with the fixing allegations in the light of Pakistan U19’s mentor, Sarfaraz Ahmed, getting caught with a mobile phone in the dressing room. Besides that, the Pakistan side didn’t seem to attempt to chase the target within the 33.3 overs, which was necessary for their qualification to the semi-final. Pakistan’s batting approach slowed down even after a decent and steady start in the first 15 overs. It also raised questions about the Pakistan U19’s intent if they really wanted to qualify for the semi-finals, just wanted to win against India, or anything else. Speaking of Sarfaraz Ahmed being spotted with a mobile phone in the dressing room. The ICC’s PMOA (Player Match Official Area) and anti-corruption code clearly prohibit the use of ‘any kind of electronic devices, including the mobile phones and smart watches, etc.’India U19 outmuscle Pakistan U19 after early fumbleSpeaking of the action of the game, the Pakistan U19 skipper, Farhan Yousaf, won the toss and asked India U19 to bat first. The India U19 had a decent start of 47 runs in 7.3 overs before they lost their next three wickets within the next four balls without any score. Openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 16 and 30 runs, respectively. After a sudden collapse of the top order in the seventh and eighth overs, the middle-order batter, Vedant Trivedi, stabilised the Indian innings with a knock of 68 runs off 98 balls, with two fours and a six. Later in the innings, Kanishk Chauhan (35) and RS Ambrish (29) helped their side post a decent total of 252 runs before getting bundled out in 49.5 overs. Abdul Subhan picked three wickets for 33 runs in his 9.5 overs, alongside two wickets claimed by Mohammad Sayyam in an expensive spell of ‘69 runs in 10 overs’. Pakistan U19 collapse after a top-order's steady startWhile chasing the target, the Pakistan U19 lost their in-form batter, Sameer Minhas, early at the team’s score of 23 runs in 3.4 overs. Following Sameer’s dismissal, the wicketkeeper-batter Hamza Zahoor (42) and number three batter Usman Khan (66) made things stable for their side with a 55-run partnership for the second wicket. Usman Khan and skipper Farhan Yousaf added another crucial partnership of 63 runs for the third wicket before Pakistan U19 fell prey to a sudden collapse. Eventually, they were wrapped up at the score of 194 runs in 46.2 overs, losing the game by 58 runs. Khilan Patel and skipper Ayush Mhatre shone with the ball for India U19, scalping three wickets each.
