Pakistan U19 Demolish New Zealand by 8 Wickets: Subhan's 4-11 and Minhas' Unbeaten 74 Seal Dominant Victory

Pakistan's Under-19 side produced a clinical all-round display to demolish New Zealand by eight wickets in their Super Sixes Group 2 encounter at Harare. The emphatic victory, completed with a staggering 197 balls to spare, has significantly boosted Pakistan's net run-rate and kept the group wide open ahead of their highly anticipated clash against India.

Bowling Masterclass: Subhan and Raza Lead the Charge

The Pakistan pace attack was simply too hot to handle for the New Zealand batters on a challenging Harare surface. Right-arm seamer Abdul Subhan delivered a devastating spell, finishing with figures of 4-11 that have catapulted him up the tournament's wicket-takers chart.

Equally impressive was Ali Raza, who set the tone early by dismissing opener Marco William Alpe lbw in just the third over. Raza finished with excellent figures of 3-36, giving Pakistan the early control they never relinquished.

The Collapse That Defined the Match

After Alpe's departure, Tom Jones and Hugo Bogue attempted to rebuild with a partnership of 48 runs. However, left-arm seamer Mohammad Sayyam broke the dangerous stand by removing Jones for 10.

What followed was nothing short of a batting collapse. Four balls after Jones' dismissal, Subhan struck to remove Bogue, who top-scored with 39. The middle order crumbled spectacularly:

• New Zealand's Nos. 5 to 8 contributed just eight runs combined
• Brandon Matzopoulos and Jaskaran Sandhu both fell for ducks
• New Zealand were reduced to 67 for 7 in just 13.3 overs

A late lower-order resistance added 42 runs, but New Zealand were bowled out for 110 in 28.3 overs—a total that was never going to challenge Pakistan's potent batting lineup.

Minhas Continues Sensational Form with Match-Winning Fifty

Opener Sameer Minhas has emerged as one of the tournament's brightest batting talents, and he showcased his class once again with an unbeaten 74 that guided Pakistan home with minimal fuss.

Despite losing opening partner Hamza Zahoor early in the chase, Minhas remained unfazed. His second consecutive unbeaten half-century in the tournament demonstrated both his temperament and attacking prowess.

Batting Highlights

Minhas dominated a 67-run partnership with Usman Khan, who played the perfect supporting role with just 15 runs. The left-hander's innings included:

• 10 boundaries struck with precision
• 2 towering sixes that underlined his power game
• A controlled yet aggressive approach throughout

The finishing touch was pure theatre—Minhas and No. 4 batter Farhan Yousaf (11*) each hit sixes off the final two balls of the innings, bringing the chase to a spectacular conclusion.

Strategic Implications and Tournament Context

This comprehensive victory carries significance beyond the two points earned. Pakistan's net run-rate has received a substantial boost, which could prove decisive in the tightly contested Super Sixes Group 2.

What This Means for Pakistan

The manner of this victory—winning with 32.5 overs to spare—sends a powerful message to their rivals. The bowling unit has demonstrated it can dismantle any lineup, while the batting has proven it can chase down targets efficiently and aggressively.

Looking Ahead: The India Showdown

All eyes now turn to Pakistan's next fixture—a high-profile encounter against arch-rivals India. With momentum firmly on their side and key players hitting form at the right time, Pakistan will enter that contest full of confidence.

Subhan and Raza have proven they can take wickets in clusters, while Minhas has shown he can anchor an innings and accelerate when needed. This balanced approach could prove crucial in what promises to be an intense subcontinental clash.

Match Summary

New Zealand U19: 110 all out (28.3 overs) — Bogue 39; Subhan 4-11, Raza 3-36

Pakistan U19: 112/2 (17.1 overs) — Minhas 74*

Result: Pakistan won by 8 wickets (with 197 balls remaining)

Venue: Harare, Zimbabwe