HARARE: Pacer Ali Raza starred as Pakistan beat Scotland by six wickets to get off the mark at the U-19 World Cup at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Monday.

Ali took four wickets to help Pakistan bowl Scotland out for a paltry 187 before a match-defining century stand between Usman Khan and Ahmed Hussain took the side over the line.

Pakistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss 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 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 and Ahmed then combined for 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 take the game with 6.5 overs to spare.

In other matches, South Africa rode on centuries by Mohammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles to thrash Tanzania by 329 runs in Windhoek, while Sri Lanka cruised past Ireland by 106 runs thanks to captain Vimath Dinsara’s 95.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026