By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | Jan 13, 2026 |ย Sports
As the countdown to the ICC Menโs U19 World Cup 2026 reaches its final hours, the pak u19 vs usa u19 clash in Bulawayo has provided a definitive glimpse into the form of the tournament favorites. On Tuesday at the Bulawayo Athletic Club, the Pakistan Shaheens showcased their immense batting depth, posting a formidable 294/8. While the result underscores Pakistan’s dominance, an injury scare for star opener Sameer Minhas has added a layer of tension to their final preparations.
For fans following the pak u19 vs usa u19 encounter, this fixture served as the ultimate diagnostic test. Following a rain shortened outing against Bangladesh, Pakistan needed a complete performance to validate their status as Asia Cup champions. They delivered exactly that, though the USAโs disciplined bowling in the middle overs suggests the associate nations are arriving in Zimbabwe with a point to prove.
The Minhas Masterclass and a Sudden Exit
The narrative of the day was undeniably centered on Sameer Minhas. Fresh off a record breaking 172 against India in the Asia Cup final, Minhas continued his staggering run of form. From the first ball, he looked a class apart, dismantling the USA pace attack with a blend of brute force and surgical precision.
Sameer Minhas Injury and updates
Minhas score 74 off just 55 deliveries, a knock that featured high velocity boundaries and clinical rotation of strike. However, the stadium fell silent when the 19 year old was forced to retire hurt. While the PCB has yet to release a full medical bulletin, the sight of their primary run getter leaving the field early is a significant concern ahead of Fridayโs blockbuster clash with England.
His opening partner, Mohammad Shayan, provided a steadying presence with 23, but it was Minhas who set the tempo that defined the first half of the innings.
Late Fireworks: Ali Hassan Baloch Propels the Score
Despite a mid innings wobble where Pakistan lost captain Farhan Yousaf (19) and Usman Khan (14) in quick succession, the lower middle order stepped up. This resilience is what makes the current Pakistan side so dangerous.
Ahmad Hussain anchored the ship with a patient 42 off 65 balls, ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking during a period of disciplined bowling from the USA’s Utkarsh Srivastava and his unit. But the defining surge came in the final five overs. Ali Hassan Baloch played a cameo that will likely be replayed in team meetings for weeks to come, smashing 36 off a mere 19 balls. This late inning blitz transformed a competitive total into a mountain, as Pakistan finished their 50 overs on 294/8.
Pakistan vs USA Scorecard Overview
| Player | Contribution | Context |
| Sameer Minhas | 74 (55) | Retired Hurt Major concern |
| Ahmad Hussain | 42 (65) | Stabilized the middle order |
| Ali Hassan Baloch | 36 (19) | Finisher High strike rate |
| Sahil Garg (USA) | 34* (44) | Leading the chase |
USA Resistance: Sahil Garg Holds the Line
Chasing a target of 295 against a bowling attack led by the fiery Ali Raza was never going to be easy for the USA. However, the American youngsters showed significant grit. The pak u19 vs usa u19 live updates highlighted a period of stubborn resistance led by opener Sahil Garg.
Garg, who remained unbeaten on 34 after 16 overs of the chase, played with a maturity that belied his age. Alongside Amrinder Gill, he survived the initial burst from Pakistanโs new ball bowlers, focusing on building a foundation rather than chasing the run rate. For the USA, this match wasn’t necessarily about the win loss column it was about proving they could compete with a side that has won eight of its last ten matches.
Strategic Context: Why This Match Matters
This pak u19 vs usa u19 fixture is more than just a warm up. It is a statement of intent. Pakistan enters the 2026 World Cup with arguably their strongest youth squad in two decades. Having won the U19 Asia Cup and the Zimbabwe tri series back to back, they are playing a brand of fearless cricket inspired by the likes of AB de Villiers Minhasโs personal idol.
For the USA, the match provided vital exposure to the subcontinent style of play high pace bowling followed by relentless spin pressure. This experience will be invaluable when they face their Group B opponents in the coming days.
The Road Ahead: England Awaits
The pak u19 vs usa u19 contest has effectively set the stage for the main event. Pakistan will now travel to Harare for their opening Group C fixture against England on January 16. The medical staff will be working overtime to ensure Sameer Minhas is fit to take the field at the Takashinga Sports Club.
If Pakistan can maintain the batting aggression shown today while tightening their discipline in the middle overs, they remain the team to beat. The 2004 and 2006 champions are hungry for a third title, and based on todayโs evidence, they have the firepower to achieve it.
- Key Takeaways
- Minhas Fitness: All eyes are on Sameer Minhas after he retired hurt on 74 he is vital to Pakistan’s World Cup hopes.
- Finishing Power: Ali Hassan Baloch proved Pakistan has the death over hitters to turn average scores into winning ones.
- USA Grit: Sahil Garg showed that the USA U19 side has the technical discipline to handle top tier pace bowling.
- Momentum: Pakistan heads into the tournament opener against England on the back of a dominant batting display in the pak u19 vs usa u19 warm up.
FAQ
1. Where can I watch the U19 World Cup warm-up match?
The warm-up matches (happening Jan 11โ14, 2026) and the main tournament (starting Jan 15) are being broadcast on:
India: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.
Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports; digital streaming on Myco and Tamasha.
USA: Willow TV.
Australia: Amazon Prime Video.
Global: Many matches are available for free in select regions on ICC.tv.
2. Who bowled the Super Over for Pakistan?
If you are referring to the historic match against the USA, it was Mohammad Amir who bowled the Super Over for Pakistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the current 2026 U19 context, Pakistanโs warm-up matches (like todayโs game against USA U19) have been standard 50-over games without a Super Over.
3. Why did the USA support Pakistan?
In early 2026, this “support” primarily refers to economic and strategic partnerships in cricket:
PSL Investment: Major US-based investment groups (like the OZ Group) have recently shown interest in investing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, citing Pakistan’s world-class cricket infrastructure.
Diplomatic Support: US officials have recently praised the strategic relationship between the two nations, aiming to expand sports diplomacy and cooperation.
4. Where is the U19 Cricket World Cup?
The 2026 ICC Menโs U19 World Cup is being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. Matches are being played at venues in Harare and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) and Windhoek (Namibia).
5. Who has the fastest 100 in Under-19?
Pakistanโs Sameer Minhas holds the world record for the fastest century in Youth ODI history. He smashed a 42-ball hundred against Zimbabwe U19 on January 6, 2026, during the U19 Tri-Series final in Harare. He broke the previous record of 52 balls held by India’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
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