Farhan Ahmed returned a miserly 1/37 from ten overs as England opened their 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup with a 37-run win over Pakistan in Harare.

The 17-year-old removed Ahmed Hussain - pleasingly breaking a stand between two batters named Farhan and Ahmed - lbw as Pakistan, chasing England’s 210, were dismissed for 173.

Caleb Falconer top-scored with 66, while opener Ben Dawkins contributed 33 and Ralphie Albert added 25 as the Young Lions were bowled out for 210, with Hussain taking 3/38.

Falconer reached his half-century at the rate of a run-a-ball, taking on the role of lynchpin to crucially help England beyond 200, while Ahmed made 15 with the bat.

In pursuit, Pakistan then found themselves in deep trouble at 85-6, and were unable to recover despite more than doubling their score over their last four wickets.

After Ahmed had seen off Hussain, Men in Green captain Farhan Yousaf top-scored with a composed 65 that left the game intriguingly poised with ten overs to go.

However, when James Minto, one of three England bowlers to collect two scalps, had him caught at third man by Manny Lumsden, England only required two more wickets.

Victory was then secured thanks to captain Thomas Rew’s quick reactions, removing the bails to run out last man Ali Raza, who had left his crease to avoid a throw from the deep.

England can secure their place in the Super 6 stage when they play tournament co-hosts Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday.

The top three from each four-team group, with Scotland the other members of the quartet involving England, progress to the next phase.

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