India and the West Indies began their ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 campaigns with noteworthy wins over USA and Tanzania respectively.
Five-time winners, India rode of a terrific spell by Henil Patel and a punchy batting display from Abhigyan Kundu to record a six-wicket win. Meanwhile, the Windies on the other hand had Tanez Francis to thank for a splendid half-century, which ensured that they chased Tanzania’s target of 122 with relative ease after solid bowling display in the first innings.
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The match between Zimbabwe and Scotland in Harare was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Here’s a look at how all the action on the opening day panned out:
India beat USA by 6 wickets
Runner-ups from the previous edition, India put the USA in to bat first after winning the toss and Henil Patel instantly validated that decision by delivering a fiery opening spell that broke the resistance of the USA top order. The right-arm pacer picked up three wickets in his opening burst.
The Indians then tightened the screws on the USA middle order to pick up wickets at regular intervals as Deepesh Devendran, Ambarish RS, Khilan Patel and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all nabbed a wicket each.
Patel then returned to clean up the tail and bag the first five-wicket haul of the tournament to bowl USA out for just 107.
The USA bowlers however, got them off to a solid start with the ball. Ritvik Appidi would clean up Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early.
However, a spell of rain would reduce the game to 37 overs. India, now chasing a revised target of 96, were rocked by two quick wickets once the play resumed as Mhatre and Trivedi were dismissed, leaving India reeling at 25/3.
But Abhigyan Kundu and Vihaan Malhotra weathered the storm and slowly turned the tables on the USA bowlers, stitching together a counter-attacking 45-run partnership that got India closer to the target.
Malhotra’s dismissal didn’t prevent the five-time winners from cruising home and putting their first points on the board.
India will be back in action against Bangladesh for their second game in Group A on Saturday. Meanwhile, USA will take on New Zealand on Sunday, with both matches set to take place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Windies beat Tanzania by 5 wickets
Tanez Francis was the star with the bat for the West Indies, scoring a fine half-century after Vitel Lawes-led bowling effort restricted Tanzania to a very chaseable score of 121.
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Windies had opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Dylan Thakrar and Darpan Jobanputra gave Tanzania a solid start with a 53-run opening stand. Jonathan van Lange gave West Indies the breakthrough that triggered a Tanzanian collapse.
Lawes led the charge for the Windies picking up three wickets as the Tanzanian innings folded for just 121 in 34 overs.
Francis then took charge with the bat in Windhoek as he stitched a 80-run stand with Jewel Andrew after seeing opening partner Zackary Carter depart early to put the Windies on cusp of victory.
Andrew and Francis fell in quick succession as Tanzania picked up four wickets in quick succession to put Windies 114/5.
However, it wasn’t enough to salvage a favourable result as the Windies eased to the target to pick up their first win of the tournament.
The West Indies will take on Afghanistan in their next match in Group D on Sunday before Tanzania face South Africa on Monday. Both matches will be held at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.
Zimbabwe vs Scotland, Match Abandoned without toss
The match between Zimbabwe and Scotland was abandoned without a ball being bowled as both teams earned a point each.
Co-hosts, Zimbabwe will face England in their next match on Sunday while Scotland take on Pakistan on Monday with both games taking place at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.
