Farhan Ahmed returned his most economical bowling spell of the 2026 ICC Men’s U19s World Cup yet as England completed a perfect group stage campaign with a crushing 252-run win over Scotland in Harare.

Having registered figures of 1/37 against Pakistan and 2/33 against Zimbabwe last week, both from ten overs, 17-year-old Ahmed wound the pressure even tighter by returning 1/25 from his allocation this time around.

His figures, which came after Ben Mayes had broken a host of records with his 191 from 117 balls as England piled up 404-6, helped the Young Lions skittle their neighbours for just 152.

Ahmed, who made an unbeaten 15 from 13 balls in England’s innings, took the wicket of Rory Grant for two in his first over thanks to a low catch from Joe Moores at short midwicket.

Earlier, Mayes had hit the fastest-ever century by a Young Lion, from 65 balls, before going on to break the record for the highest individual England Men U19s ODI score, which had previously been jointly held by Freddie McCann.

He shared a 188-run partnership for the second wicket with Moores, who hit 81 from 65 balls, before Ahmed then helped to ensure Scotland were never in contention in reply.

Caleb Falconer’s 3/19 was the pick of the attack, though there were also two scalps apiece for Ralphie Albert, who claimed 2/39, and Manny Lumsden, whose four overs produced 2/17.

The win confirmed that England will take four points through to the Super Six stage, where they will play two further fixtures.

Those games will be against the sides that finish second and third in Group B - which consists of India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the United States.

Both of those games will be at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo, on Monday 26th January and Friday 30th January.

The top two teams from each of the two groups at the end of the Super Six stage progress to the semi-finals.

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