BULAWAYO: India and the West Indies made victorious starts to their respective U-19 World Cup campaigns as two matches survived the weather on the opening day on Thursday.
India recovered from 25-3 to beat the USA by six wickets (DLS method) while the West Indies overcame debutants Tanzania by five wickets.
Zimbabwe’s clash with Scotland was washed out in Harare.
India survived a scare to run out six-wicket (DLS method) winners over the USA in a rain-affected clash in Bulawayo. Henil Patel was in fine form with the ball, taking 5-16 from seven overs to help India seize early control.
Nitish Sudini impressed for the USA, hitting four boundaries in his 36 having arrived at the crease with his side 39 for five. Sudini was the last man out as the USA were dismissed for 107 in the 36th over.
India lost Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the third over of the reply, clean bowled by a jubilant Ritvik Appidi, before the players were taken from the field due to lightning in the area with India 21-1.
They returned with a revised target of 96 from 37 overs and quickly slipped to 25-3, Vedant Trivedi cutting straight to point before captain Ayush Mhatre (19) picked out fine leg.
But Abhigyan Kundu and Vihaan Malhotra (18) added 45 for the fourth wicket to steady the innings and Kundu continued to an unbeaten 42 to see the five-time winners home, sealing the win with a huge straight six in the 18th over.
Tanzania’s first-ever match at the U-19 World Cup ended in defeat as the West Indies ran out as five-wicket winners in Windhoek.
The African nation batted first and made a steady start, Dylan Thakrar (26) and Darpan Jobanputra (19) posted 53 for the first wicket before both fell in the space of five deliveries.
Wickets then fell at regular intervals, Vitel Lawes claimed (3-23) and Micah McKenzie (2-15) and Shaquan Belle (2-23) chipping in with two apiece as the middle order failed to fire.
Tanzania slipped to 86 for seven and though Acrey Pascal (10) and Khalidy Amiri (12) pushed them into three figures, the innings was wrapped up on 122 with 16 overs unused.
The West Indies lost Zachary Carter early in reply, the first of two scalps for Agustino Mwamele (2-17), but Tanez Francis (52) and Jewel Andrew (44) added 80 for the second wicket to take the batting side to within touching distance.
Both fell before the job was done as the Windies had a wobble, Raymond Francis (2-23) also took two wickets, but Shamar Apple hit the winning boundary from the final ball of the 21st over.
Co-hosts Zimbabwe were left kicking their heels alongside Scotland in Harare as rain caused an abandonment without a ball being bowled.
Zimbabwe are next in action against England on January 18, with Scotland taking on Pakistan on January 19.
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026
