England U-19 won the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 by 37 runs, thrashing Pakistan U-19 for 173, after setting a modest target of 211. What made the win fascinating was the final wicket, where Ali Raza had a brain fade moment and failed to maintain his ground before the wicketkeeper easily retrieved the ball and dislodged the bails to put the game to a close.
The incident happened when Manny Lumsden stepped out to bowl his ninth over of the innings on the third ball of the 47th over. Momin Qadar was the batter on strike, pulling the short delivery into the deep mid-wicket region. Raza, rushing towards the danger end, allowed the ball to pass instead of finishing the run, and Thomas Rew collected a simple throw from Ben Mayes, resulting in the ejection.
View a video of Ali Raza’s brain fade run-out here:
Quality run out to end the game between England and Pakistan in the U19 World Cup. Number 11 decides to get out the way of the throw coming in by just standing out of his crease… 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/81CA9tCS8E
— TheCricketMen (@thecricketmen) January 16, 2026This saw the Men in Green go down by 37 runs in their opening fixture of the showpiece 50-over tournament. The English in return came from behind to overwhelm their rivals and open their Under-19 World Cup with a bang.
Rew, who is also the captain of the English team, admitted that the aim they set did not appear to be enough at first. He went on to say that their bowlers’ outstanding performance ultimately turned the tables in their favor. The English captain also praised the fielders’ outstanding efforts, taking in mind the low target they were defending.
“We felt we were under par, top effort from the bowlers. The wicket was good but it kept low sometimes. The big thing we were bowling to the stumps. We adapted to the fielding. We took the momentum from the two practice games and good to win the first game,” Rew said at the post-match presentation.
