James Rew's Unbeaten 59 Guides England to Super Sixes Victory; Adnit Jhamb's Century Powers USA Past Scotland

England Dominate Bangladesh in Super Sixes Opener

England have taken a giant stride towards the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Super Sixes encounter in Harare. The win effectively ends Bangladesh's hopes of progressing further in the tournament, while England now have one foot firmly in the knockout stages.

Bowling Masterclass Sets the Tone

England's bowlers set up the victory with a disciplined and incisive performance that restricted Bangladesh to just 136 runs in 38.1 overs. Sebastian Morgan led the charge with impressive figures of 3 for 28, never allowing the Bangladesh batters to settle into any rhythm.

The supporting cast was equally effective, with Ralphie Albert claiming 2 for 15 and Manny Lumsden finishing with 2 for 18. The wickets were shared around the attack, with Alex Green, Farhan Ahmed, and James Minto all contributing to Bangladesh's downfall.

Bangladesh's Brief Resistance

The only period of promise for Bangladesh came during a 46-run second-wicket partnership between captain Azizul Hakim and Rifat Beg. The aggressive Beg looked threatening during his 36-ball 31, but his dismissal proved to be the turning point.

Farhan Ahmed delivered a beautifully flighted off-break that induced an edge from Beg, and from that moment, Bangladesh's innings began to crumble. No partnership thereafter exceeded 18 runs as England's bowlers maintained their stranglehold, eventually bowling out the opposition with nearly 12 overs to spare.

Rew's Composed Chase Seals Victory

Walking in at 39 for 2 after Joseph Moores fell to a spectacular catch by Shadhin Islam at deep third, James Rew showcased remarkable composure for a player of his age. His unbeaten 59 was the anchor around which England's successful chase was built.

Rew's partnership with Ben Mayes proved decisive. The pair added 78 runs off 68 deliveries, effectively taking the game away from Bangladesh. Al Fahad had earlier given Bangladesh hope with figures of 2 for 37, including the dangerous Ben Dawkins for a 29-ball 27, but Rew's arrival silenced the boisterous Bangladesh camp.

The right-hander employed the sweep shot liberally, and a pair of monstrous slog sweeps off Shadhin Islam signalled England's intent to finish the game quickly. With just 20 needed, Mayes departed, but Rew ensured there would be no late drama, guiding England home alongside Caleb Falconer.

USA Triumph in 16th Place Play-off Behind Jhamb's Brilliance

In the 16th Place Play-off, sixteen-year-old sensation Adnit Jhamb produced a stunning unbeaten 116 off just 93 balls to guide USA to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Scotland.

Jhamb's Match-Winning Century

Chasing 237 for victory, Jhamb walked in after the fall of the first wicket and immediately took control. After a steady 47-run partnership with Amrinder Gill, the young prodigy shifted gears following Gill's dismissal.

The defining phase of the match came when Jhamb combined with captain Utkarsh Srivastava for a breathtaking 129-run third-wicket stand. The pair scored at above seven runs per over, demolishing Scotland's bowling attack. Srivastava contributed a run-a-ball 52 before Ollie Jones finally broke through, but by then, USA needed just 22 more runs.

Jhamb sealed the victory in style, dispatching two boundaries in Jones' final over to complete a comprehensive win with more than 11 overs to spare.

Appidi's Four-Wicket Haul Restricts Scotland

USA's victory was built on a foundation laid by their bowlers, with Ritvik Appidi claiming exceptional figures of 4 for 54. Rayaan Taj provided excellent support with 3 for 37.

Scotland had looked set for a much bigger total when Theo Robinson was compiling his impressive 83 off 101 balls. An opening stand of 57 with Olly Pillinger was followed by an 89-run partnership with Manu Saraswat, with Scotland eyeing a total closer to 300.

Dramatic Collapse Derails Scotland

The match turned dramatically in the span of five deliveries. Having just been hit for six, Taj held a good return catch to dismiss the dangerous Robinson. Max Chaplin was run out for a golden duck off the very next ball, and Appidi then had Saraswat caught off the first delivery of the following over.

Three wickets for no runs in five balls transformed the contest. From that point, Scotland limped to 236, with only a rapid 39-run partnership between Jake Woodhouse and captain Thomas Knight offering any resistance. Fittingly, Appidi dismissed both to complete his four-wicket haul.

Looking Ahead

England's dominant victory puts them in prime position to secure a semi-final berth, with Bangladesh now eliminated from contention. The performance of their bowling unit, combined with Rew's maturity with the bat, suggests England are peaking at the right time in the tournament.

For USA, Jhamb's century will be a moment to remember for the young cricketer and a significant milestone for American cricket development. The 16th Place Play-off win provides valuable experience and ends their campaign on a positive note.

The Under-19 World Cup continues to produce thrilling contests and showcase the next generation of cricketing talent, with these matches in Harare proving no exception.