In Group C of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, a pair of former champions join hosts Zimbabwe and Scotland in what looks like a tantalising group.
Pakistan enter the tournament brimming with confidence off the back of victory in the Asia Cup, and will be seeking a third title after their back-to-back crowns in 2004 and 2006, while England’s sole success came back in 1998.
They are joined by hosts Zimbabwe, who have featured in all bar the first edition of the tournament, and Scotland, appearing for the 11th time.
ENGLAND
One of just five ever-presents in the competition’s history, England’s only title to date came back in 1998 under the leadership of Owais Shah.
That team also featured Graeme Swann and current England managing director Rob Key.
More recently, they reached the final in 2022, losing to India in Antigua, but fell at the Super 6 stage in 2024.
England head to Zimbabwe and Namibia with plenty of county talent at their disposal including captain Thomas Rew, of Somerset, and Farhan Ahmed, the Nottinghamshire allrounder who helped them to the County Championship title, appearing in eight matches and taking 13 wickets.
Others with county experience include Durham’s James Minto and Worcestershire’s Isaac Mohammed, while England come into the tournament following a tour of the West Indies in which they lost a seven-match series 5-2.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan laid down a marker with a convincing, 191-run victory over India in the final of the U19 Men’s Asia Cup.
Their standout performer was Sameer Minhas, who smashed 172 in the final to take his tally for the tournament to 471 runs.
Pakistan have been a consistent force at this level, reaching the final on five occasions including those consecutive wins in 2004 and 2006, the latter under Sarfaraz Ahmed, who went onto captain the senior side to ICC Men’s Champions Trophy glory in 2017.
They have not reached the final since 2014 but have made it to the semifinals in three of the last four tournaments.
SCOTLAND
Scotland secured their place in the tournament on home soil back in August, when they came through the Europe Qualifier.
A perfect five from five saw them top the table, with the decisive final encounter a battling 20-run victory over the Netherlands in Dundee in which Finlay Jones took four for 41.
As a result, Scotland have now made it to seven of the last eight editions of the tournament and they will be captained by Thomas Knight on this occasion.
They will open their campaign against hosts Zimbabwe in Harare, looking for a first win in the group stage of the tournament since 2014.
Their most recent match in the tournament was a victory however, edging out Namibia by three runs in a play-off two years ago.
ZIMBABWE
Playing on home soil, Zimbabwe will hope to use their knowledge of home conditions to come through the group stage for the second tournament running.
Captained by Simbarashe Mudzengerere and coached by former allrounder Elton Chigumbura, Zimbabwe also features twins Kian and Michael Blignaut, whose father Andy played for them for more than a decade between 1999 and 2010.
Most recently, Zimbabwe played in a tri-nations tournament against South Africa and Bangladesh at home.
While they did not pick up a win, there were some promising performances including Shelton Mazvitorera, the medium pacer who took 11 wickets at an average of 25.
FIXTURES
15 January – Zimbabwe v Scotland
16 January – England v Pakistan
18 January – Zimbabwe v England
19 January – Pakistan v Scotland
21 January – England v Scotland
22 January – Zimbabwe v Pakistan