Usman Khan's Brilliant 75 Powers Pakistan to Crucial U19 World Cup Win Over Scotland

Pakistan's Under-19 side delivered a statement performance at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026, securing a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Scotland to keep their tournament hopes firmly alive.

After suffering a disappointing 36-run defeat to England in their opening fixture, the young Pakistani side showed tremendous character and resilience to bounce back when it mattered most. The win sees Pakistan rise to second place in Group C after two rounds of matches.

Batting Performance: Usman Khan Anchors the Chase

Chasing 188 for victory, Pakistan found their hero in Usman Khan, who played a mature and match-winning innings of 75 runs off 85 deliveries. Khan's knock was the perfect blend of aggression and responsibility, providing the stability Pakistan desperately needed after their earlier setback.

Supporting Khan brilliantly was Ahmed Hussain, who contributed a gritty 47 from 92 balls. The pair's partnership showcased exceptional game awareness, displaying the care and precision the high-stakes situation demanded.

Captain Farhan Yousaf then provided the finishing touches, remaining unbeaten on 18 off just 11 deliveries as Pakistan completed their run chase in the 44th over with four wickets in hand.

Bowling Performance: Ali Raza's Early Onslaught

Pakistan's victory was set up by an outstanding bowling display, spearheaded by opening bowler Ali Raza. The right-armer caused havoc from the very first ball, consistently troubling Scotland's batters throughout his spell.

Raza finished with exceptional figures of 4/37 from his 10 overs, dismantling Scotland's top order and ensuring the target remained within Pakistan's reach. His performance was instrumental in restricting Scotland to 187, a total that proved insufficient against Pakistan's determined batting lineup.

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Captain's Leadership: Farhan Yousaf's Rallying Call

Skipper Farhan Yousaf praised his team's fighting spirit and the support from the management in helping the squad recover from their opening loss.

"We lost the first game, but our management is very supportive, and we recovered. The boys' morale was very high in this match, and the boys give 100 percent every time in the game."

Yousaf's forward-thinking mentality was evident as he looked ahead to their decisive group stage encounter.

"Past is past. We close this chapter and the next match against Zimbabwe, so we only focus on the Zimbabwe game and to finish on a high note."

Road Ahead: Zimbabwe Showdown Awaits

Pakistan's final Group C fixture against Zimbabwe is scheduled for Thursday in Harare. A victory would significantly boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages and making a deep tournament run.

With momentum now firmly on their side and confidence restored, Pakistan will look to carry this winning form into what promises to be another crucial encounter. The performances of Usman Khan with the bat and Ali Raza with the ball have given the team a template for success moving forward.

Key Match Statistics

Pakistan's well-rounded performance against Scotland demonstrates their potential to compete at the highest level of youth cricket, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to their group campaign.