Watch- Pakistan humiliated in u19 World Cup as brain fade runout leads to English win

Ali Raza gifted his wicket [Source: @thecricketmen/x.com]

Pakistan Under-19’s ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 campaign got off to a nightmare start and not because of an exceptional spell or a brutal batting collapse. Instead, it was a proper brain-fade moment that stole the limelight and handed England U-19 a 37-run win over Pakistan U-19 in their opening clash of the marquee tournament.

While England defended a modest total of 211 with grit and discipline, the final wicket summed up Pakistan’s day perfectly: confusion, hesitation and curtains.

A chase that slowly slipped through Pakistan’s fingers

Chasing 211 was never supposed to be a mountain to climb. Pakistan Under-19 had wickets in hand and time on their side for most of the innings. But as the asking rate crept up, pressure started knocking on the door and they were reduced to 85/6.

England’s bowlers kept things tight, hit the hard lengths and forced mistakes. Runs dried up, singles became risky and suddenly Pakistan were scrambling instead of cruising. What followed next was the moment that turned a tricky chase into a headline-maker.

The run-out that no one saw coming

The bizarre moment arrived in the third ball of the 47th over. Manny Lumsden banged it short, and Momin Qadar pulled it towards deep mid-wicket.

That should have been a routine single. But cricket, as they say, has a funny way of humbling you. Ali Raza, running towards the danger end, slowed down and bizarrely let the ball go past him instead of committing to the run. There was hesitation, there was confusion and that was all England needed.

Ben Mayes fired in a clean throw, Thomas Rew did the rest, and the bails were whipped off in a flash and Pakistan were bowled out for 173. This was a proper case of being caught napping at the crease.

TheCricketMen

@thecricketmen

Quality run out to end the game between England and Pakistan in the U19 World Cup. Number 11 decides to get out the way of the throw coming in by just standing out of his crease… 🤦‍♂️

Jan 16, 2026, 8:58 PM

England sniffed an opening and never let go

Defending 211 looked like a tall order early on, even by England’s own admission. But once wickets started tumbling, the English youngsters smelt blood.

Their bowlers hunted in packs, and the fielders backed it up with sharp work in the deep. Rew later admitted that the total felt light at first, but credited the bowling unit for flipping the script and dragging the game back England’s way.

Pakistan left searching for answers

For Pakistan Under-19, this was a case of snatching defeat from the jaws of a manageable chase. The run-out was the final nail in the coffin.

In a World Cup, such moments sting harder. Matches can turn on a dime and brain fades like this are punished without mercy. The Men in Green will need to dust themselves off quickly, tighten up the basics, and bounce back in their next match against Scotland Under 19 on January 19.