Pakistan Under-19 won the toss and elected to field against India Under-19 in a high-stakes Super Six Group 2 match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, keeping semi-final qualification firmly in focus for both sides.

Semi-final spot on the line

The India–Pakistan encounter is the final group-stage match in Super Six Group 2, with only one semi-final berth still up for grabs. England Under-19 cricket team have already sealed qualification from the group, while Australia Under-19 cricket team and Afghanistan Under-19 cricket team progressed from Super Six Group 1.

India Under-19 currently sit second in Group 2 with three wins from three matches and a healthy net run rate of +3.337. Pakistan Under-19 are placed third with two victories from three games and a net run rate of +1.484. A Pakistan win would level the points tally at six, but they would still need a sizeable margin to surpass India’s superior net run rate.

For the India Under-19 cricket team, a victory would guarantee a place in the semi-finals and preserve their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Toss update and team changes

Speaking at the toss, India captain Ayush Mhatre said the team was comfortable batting first and confirmed one change to the playing XI.

“We were looking to bat first. The boys are doing really well and we are confident. It’s a sunny day. In the first three matches, there was rain and some difficulties, but the last two games had good weather and it’s helped us. One change — Udhav Mohan misses out and Deepesh comes in,” Mhatre said.

Playing XIs

India Under-19:
Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (w), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.

Pakistan Under-19:
Hamza Zahoor (w), Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza.

With qualification pressure, rivalry, and form all colliding, the Super Six clash promises to be one of the most closely watched matches of the Under-19 World Cup so far.