Adam Leckey impressed with bat and ball as Ireland sealed their place in the Super Six at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 with a four-wicket win over Japan in Windhoek.
They will be joined by Zimbabwe, who squeaked through despite an eight-wicket defeat to Pakistan, while the West Indies defeated South Africa to finish second in Group D.
CARTER AND BELLE SHINE FOR WEST INDIES
Zachary Carter’s century and six wickets for Shaquan Belle ensured the West Indies claimed second spot in Group D with a 55-run win over South Africa.
Barbadian opener Carter, who had recorded single figure scores in the opening two group games, found form with eight fours and eight sixes in a superb 114 from 104 balls, dominating an 82-run second-wicket stand with captain Joshua Dorne (20).
Dorne’s dismissal was the first of three wickets in one over for JJ Basson, who finished with superb figures of 5-23 from 10 overs, while Carter’s subsequent departure precipitated a collapse from 193-4 to 234 all out.
It proved enough, however, as Belle got to work. He finished with 6-40 from his 10 overs, while a beauty from left-arm spinner Vitel Lawes accounted for dangerman Jason Rowles, who struck 46 from 40.
Lethabo Phahlamohlaka provided some late fireworks with three sixes in his 26 but the Proteas finished 55 runs short, with their innings brought to a close in the 38th over.
Wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew took four catches behind the stumps, including a stunner high to his right to remove Paul James.
IRELAND SEAL SUPER SIX SPOT
Ireland ensured they took the final Super Six qualification spot in Group A with a four-wicket win over Japan in Windhoek.
In-form Hugo Tani-Kelly started well with four early boundaries but fell for 20, though impressive knocks from brothers Charles Hara-Hinze (57) and Gabriel Hara-Hinze (44) guided Japan through choppy waters.
Skyler Nakayama-Cook also contributed a valuable 30 as Japan recovered from 141-6 to end on 247-9, Adam Leckey and Olly Riley taking three wickets apiece.
Leckey and Freddie Ogilby broke the back of the chase, adding 95 for the second wicket.
Both fell in quick succession, Ogilby for 73 from 76 balls and Leckey for a 44 featuring just one boundary, but Sebastian Dijkstra picked up the slack with an unbeaten 55.
Kazuma Kato-Stafford and Timothy Moore took two wickets each but Ireland got home with two overs to spare.
SAMEER SETS THE TONE FOR PAKISTAN
Sameer Minhas’s unbeaten 74 guided Pakistan to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe, who also qualified for the Super Six on net run rate despite their defeat.
The Chevrons batted first and were indebted to opener Nathaniel Hlabangana, who largely played a lone hand as he struck 59 at the top of the order.
Ali Raza took 3-16 as Pakistan made regular breakthroughs, Hlabangana the seventh man out with the score on 94.
Zimbabwe made it to 128 all out and knew they would be eliminated if Pakistan chased the target in 25.1 overs or fewer, with Scotland watching on nervously to see if they would benefit.
As it transpired, however, Pakistan got home in the 27th over, Sameer sealing victory in style with the third six of his 75-ball knock.
Usman Khan chipped in with 26 while Ahmed Hussain finished on 24 not out.