Under-19 World Cup 2026: Pakistan deliberately slows chase to knock Scotland out, Chopra reacts

Pakistan U19 beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Thursday, a win that secured their place in the Super Six but sparked controversy unrelated to the players’ performance.

They were chasing 129 in a Group C match at the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, and reached 132/2 in 26.2 overs. The match also indirectly decided Scotland’s fate. With England and Pakistan already guaranteed to progress, the final Super Six spot came down to net run rate between Zimbabwe and Scotland. While Scotland’s campaign was effectively over, they had a last mathematical chance.

Pakistan’s chase began at a brisk pace, reaching 84 by the 14th over. However, the innings slowed dramatically as boundaries disappeared and dot balls piled up, even though the required run rate remained comfortable. Pakistan faced 50 dot balls and scored only 27 runs in a 10-over stretch, including a period of 89 balls without a boundary.

In the Super Six, teams carry forward points and net run rate only from group-stage matches against other qualifiers. Pakistan’s win over Zimbabwe came by a bigger margin than their victory over Scotland. If Zimbabwe had qualified, Pakistan would carry forward a stronger net run rate. If Scotland qualified instead, their carried-forward NRR would have been less favourable.

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Many experts criticised the way Pakistan paced their chase, suggesting it may have been influenced to deny Scotland a chance. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also weighed in, calling the deliberate manipulation of a match to eliminate another team in poor taste.

“Pakistan U-19 deliberately slowed down to keep Scotland out because they had a better NRR than Zim. Just see the difference…both in negative and the difference is. Deliberately manipulating the outcome to keep a third team out is in poor taste. Within the rules. But poor nevertheless. And is this what U-19 kids should be taught? Appreciated for?,” wrote Chopra on X.