South Africa and Pakistan earned their first victories of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 while Sri Lanka made it two from two on an action-packed day.
Muhammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles struck centuries as South Africa defeated Tanzania by 329 runs while four wickets for Ali Raza helped Pakistan down Scotland by six wickets.
And Sri Lanka captain Vimath Dinsara led by example with 95 as his side beat Ireland by 106 runs.
Proteas power past Tanzania
South Africa batted first in Windhoek and Jorich van Schalkwyk was quickly into his stride, clearing the ropes five times on his way to 47 from 34 balls.
His opening partner Adnaan Lagadien made 32 and his departure brought Bulbulia and Rowles together for a superb 201-run stand in which both made tons.
Skipper Bulbulia was first to three figures, reaching the landmark with a six before falling two balls later for a run-a-ball 108, while Rowles – who made 98 in South Africa’s opener against Afghanistan – finished unbeaten on 125 from 101 deliveries, with 10 fours and five sixes.
Paul James added 46 from 18 and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka an unbeaten 16 from five as South Africa smashed 116 from the final eight overs, finishing on 397 for five.
Bayanda Majola took two early wickets in reply to leave Tanzania reeling on 13 for four, while Rowles continued his memorable day by taking two for 14 and pulling off a run out.
Just three batters reached double figures, Mohammedi Simba top-scoring with 17, as the tournament debutants were bowled out for 68 in the 33rd over.
Ali on song in Pakistan triumph
Pakistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss in Harare and Ali Raza instantly justified the decision, clean bowling Theo Robinson and Max Chaplin in the first over with full and straight deliveries.
Captain Thomas Knight dug in for his 37 but when he was bowled by Momin Qamar (3/46), Scotland were 115 for six.
Finlay Jones (33) and Manu Saraswat (25) compiled a valiant seventh-wicket stand of 58 but there was little resistance thereafter as Scotland were bowled out for 187 with 11 balls unused.
In reply, Ollie Jones (2/41) removed both Pakistan openers in quick succession to leave the chasing side 48 for two.
Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain then combined for a match-defining stand of 111 to settle any nerves. Usman made 75 from 85 balls and Ahmed, who had earlier taken a brilliant diving catch in the deep to remove Saraswat, contributed a patient 47 from 92.
Both fell before the job was done but captain Farhan Yousaf (18 not out) saw his side over the line with 6.5 overs to spare.
Dinsara shines in Sri Lanka victory
Sri Lanka chose to bat against Ireland but openers Dimantha Mahavithana and Viran Chamuditha, who both made centuries in a record-breaking 328-run stand against Japan on Saturday, fell for single figure scores to leave them 17 for two.
Vimath Dinsara led the recovery, striking six fours and a six before falling five runs short of his century.
The captain was well supported by Kavija Gamage, who was run out for 49 by a Reuben Wilson direct hit from in the deep, and Chamika Heentigala, whose unbeaten 51 steered Sri Lanka to 267 for five from their 50 overs.
Dinsara was straight into the action in the field, taking a diving catch at second slip to dismiss opener Freddie Ogilby, while his partner Callum Armstrong battled to 37 before retiring hurt with severe cramp.
Dulnith Sigera (4/19) ripped through the middle order and though Wilson (32) and Olly Riley (31 not out) showed late resistance, Ireland fell 106 runs short – Armstrong returning to the crease and adding two to his score before becoming the last man to fall.
Scores in brief
South Africa v Tanzania – High Performance Oval, Windhoek
South Africa 397/5 in 50 overs (Jason Rowles 125 not out, Muhammad Bulbulia 108; Mohammedi Simba 2/85, Khalidy Amiri 1/80)
Tanzania 68 all out in 32.2 overs (Mohammedi Simba 17, Acrey Pascal 12 not out; Bayanda Majola 2/6, Jason Rowles 2/14)
Result: South Africa won Tanzania by 329 runs
Pakistan v Scotland – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Scotland 187 in 48.1 overs (Thomas Knight 37, Finlay Jones 33; Ali Raza 4/37, Momin Qamar 3/46)
Pakistan 190/4 in 43.1 overs (Usman Khan 75, Ahmed Hussain 47; Ollie Jones 2/41, Manu Saraswat 2/47)
Result: Pakistan won by six wickets
Sri Lanka v Ireland – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Sri Lanka 267/5 in 50 overs (Vimath Dinsara 95, Chamika Heentigala 51 not out; Olly Riley 2/51, Luke Murray 1/47)
Ireland 161 in 40.1 overs (Callum Armstrong 39, Reuben Wilson 32; Dulnith Sigera 4/19, Rasith Nimsara 3/29)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 106 runs
Biscuit Meg
Still on the subject of cricket superstitions, the player with the most rituals performed during a match is arguably Neil McKenzie of South Africa. Before a game, for example, he would attach his cricket bat to the ceiling with tape. When it’s time for him to bat, he would check all the changing room lights to make sure they were shut off and that the toilet seats were down.
Classy Dancer
The Wallabies have a strong rivalry with the South Africa Springboks and the England national rugby team. Matches against these teams often attract significant attention, particularly when they occur during the Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations) or the Rugby World Cup.