U19 World Cup: PAK19 vs NZ19 Fantasy Preview & Strategy

The U19 World Cup action continues as Pakistan Under-19 (PAK19) faces off against New Zealand Under-19 (NZ19) at the Harare Sports Club. PAK19 has been in formidable form, winning four of their last five matches, while the Kiwis have struggled to find rhythm, suffering four consecutive losses before this fixture. For fantasy fans, this match offers a clear opportunity to build strong teams around the in form side.

Match Details

• Match: PAK19 vs NZ19, Men's Under-19 World Cup
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
• Date & Time: 27 Jan 2026, 09:30 Local Time

Weather & Pitch Report

Harare in January brings warm temperatures around 25°C, but with a chance of scattered thunderstorms. The humidity levels are expected to be moderate. If the skies are overcast, the new ball bowlers will enjoy significant swing early on.

Ground Stats (Last 5 Matches):

• Avg Runs: 227
• Pacer Wickets: 47
• Spinner Wickets: 16

Fantasy Insight: This is a pacer's paradise. Fast bowlers have taken nearly three times as many wickets as spinners here. The average score suggests a balanced contest, but considering NZ19's recent batting collapses (often bowled out under 150), loading your fantasy teams with PAK19 pacers is a smart strategy.

Team Form & News

PAK Under-19: Pakistan is coming off a solid win against Zimbabwe U19. Their bowling unit, led by Ali Raza, has been lethal. The batting order is stable with Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan consistently scoring runs. They are the clear favorites in this contest.

NZ Under-19: The Kiwis are having a tough tournament. Their batting has been fragile, failing to chase 135 against India U19 in their last outing. They need their all rounders like Callum Samson and bowlers like Mason Clarke to step up if they want to compete.

Probable Playing XI

PAK Under-19: Sameer Minhas, Ali Hassan Baloch, Usman Khan, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf, Huzaifa Ahsan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza.

NZ Under-19: Aryan Mann (wk), Hugo Bogue, Tom Jones, Snehith Reddy, Marco Alpe, Jacob Cotter, Jaskaran Sandhu, Callum Samson, Flynn Morey, Selwin Sanjay, Mason Clarke.

Key Players to Watch

Ali Raza (PAK19): The standout bowler of the series. With 9 wickets and an average of 131 fantasy points per match, he is a must have for your teams. He bowls the tough overs and is a prime captaincy candidate.

Ahmed Hussain (PAK19): A fantastic all rounder value. He has scored 83 runs and taken 4 wickets in the series. His ability to contribute in both innings makes him a safe pick for the Vice Captain slot.

Sameer Minhas (PAK19): The batting pillar for Pakistan. He has accumulated 112 runs in the series and averages 70 points. If Pakistan bats first, expect him to anchor the innings.

Mason Clarke (NZ19): One of the few bright spots for New Zealand. He consistently picks up wickets and can earn points even when the team struggles.

Selwin Sanjay (NZ19): With 72 average points, Sanjay has shown he can contribute with the ball and chip in with crucial lower order runs.

Captaincy & Vice Captaincy Picks

• Safe Options: Ali Raza, Ahmed Hussain
• Differential Picks: Sameer Minhas, Abdul Subhan

Winning Strategy

Given the ground stats favoring pacers and NZ19's weak batting form, a 7-4 combination favoring Pakistan is recommended. Focus on PAK19's opening bowlers and top order batters. For NZ19, prioritize their bowling all rounders who are likely to get batting time and bowl their full quota of overs. Avoid NZ19's top order batters as they face a high risk against the new ball.