The under-19 stage rarely gets this much attention, but the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup has delivered genuine nail-biters. With the Super 6 stage winding down, the math for semifinal qualification has become brutally simple — win, or go home. India and Pakistan’s February 1 clash in Bulawayo didn’t just produce a result; it reshaped Group 2 entirely. Here’s where every team stands heading into the semifinals.

Leader: Australia U19 · Points: 8 · NRR Leader: +1.950 · Qualified Teams: AUS-U19, AFG-U19 · Stage: Super 6

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Australia U19 topped Group 1 with 8 points and NRR +1.950 (CricketNews)
  • India, England, Australia, Afghanistan qualified for semifinals (CricketNews)
  • Final scheduled for Feb 6 at Harare Sports Club (SuperSport)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact Bangladesh match records with no-result count
  • Full carryover points mechanics from group stage
3Timeline signal
  • Super 6 Match 12 on Feb 1 decided Group 2 semifinal picture ((SuperSport))
  • Semifinals on Feb 2–3, final Feb 6 (SuperSport)
4What’s next
  • Australia faces India in one semifinal; Afghanistan vs England in the other ((SuperSport))
  • Winners meet in Harare for the title on Feb 6 (SuperSport)

The standings table below shows each team’s position across the Super 6 groups, with points and net run rate determining semifinal qualification.

Field Value
Tournament Name ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026
Current Stage Super 6
Top Team PTS 8 (AUS-U19)
NRR Leader +1.950
Key Match IND vs PAK

How can Pak U19 qualify for the semi-final?

Pakistan U19 entered the Super 6 stage with momentum after beating New Zealand by 8 wickets on January 27 (NDTV Sports). However, their fate was decided by the result of India’s match against them on February 1.

Net Run Rate Scenarios

Pakistan finished Group 2 Super 6 with 4 points from 2 wins, an NRR of +0.765 (Wikipedia). The equation was straightforward: defeat India and hope results elsewhere fell their way. A net run rate above zero was already built into their standing, meaning any narrow loss wouldn’t erase their position entirely — but margin mattered when points were equal.

Remaining Matches Impact

With England already locked at 8 points, Pakistan needed to overtake Bangladesh (3 points) and New Zealand (1 point) in the race for second spot in Group 2. India’s dominant 204-run victory over Zimbabwe on January 27 (NDTV Sports) illustrated the kind of margin that separates contenders from also-rans in this format.

The implication: Pakistan’s Super 6 journey came down to one result against their oldest rival, with the math leaving no room for error on either side of the equation.

Is Pakistan out of the U19 World Cup?

India’s 58-run victory over Pakistan on February 1 in Bulawayo (NDTV Sports) settled the Group 2 standings decisively. With India finishing on 8 points alongside England, Pakistan’s 4-point tally left them third — outside the top two positions required to advance.

Current Position

Pakistan U19 ended the Super 6 stage in third place in Group 2, matching their points total but trailing India and England on net run rate. The February 1 loss wasn’t just a narrow defeat; it confirmed Pakistan would not feature in the semifinals for the 2026 edition.

Elimination Scenarios

What made this elimination notable was the context: Pakistan entered the Super 6 unbeaten through the group stage and had just beaten New Zealand comprehensively. Their exit came not from a bad tournament, but from facing two unbeaten sides — India and England — who posted superior NRR figures throughout the Super 6 phase.

What this means: Pakistan’s campaign ended with a loss to their fiercest rivals, underlining how the under-19 level can hinge on a handful of matches when the competition is this tight.

How can India U19 qualify for semi-finals?

India U19 didn’t just qualify — they dominated Group 2 with a 4-0 record, an NRR of +2.585, and a statement victory over their most dangerous neighbor (Wikipedia).

Win Requirements

The path was clinical: win their two Super 6 matches, maintain the tournament’s best net run rate, and secure the group lead ahead of England. India achieved this by hammering Zimbabwe by 204 runs on January 27 (NDTV Sports) and following it with a controlled performance against Pakistan on February 1.

Head-to-Head Results

The India-Pakistan result on February 1 was decisive. A 58-run margin (NDTV Sports) wasn’t merely about points — it affected NRR calculations for both teams. India’s superior run rate (+2.585) reflected their consistent ability to win big, not just win.

The upshot: India U19 enters the semifinals as the top seed from Group 2, with Australia U19 as their likely opponent in the first semifinal on February 2.

Which team is best in U19 cricket?

The question has a clearer answer after the Super 6 stage: Australia U19 and India U19 have separated themselves from the pack, posting the strongest NRR figures in their respective groups.

Top Standings

Group 1 saw Australia U19 finish first with 8 points and NRR +1.950 (ICC). Afghanistan U19 finished second with 6 points and NRR +1.725 (NDTV Sports). In Group 2, India U19 and England U19 both posted 8 points, but India’s superior NRR (+2.585 vs +1.757) gave them the group lead (Cricket Australia).

Key Performers

The numbers tell the story. Australia beat South Africa by 6 wickets, West Indies by 22 runs, and Sri Lanka’s margin was determined by Afghanistan’s result. India’s dominance was even more pronounced: their 204-run win over Zimbabwe was the largest margin in Super 6, and they backed it up with a 58-run win over Pakistan (NDTV Sports).

The pattern: the two teams that posted the best NRR figures — Australia at +1.950 and India at +2.585 — now face each other in the semifinals, with the winner favored to claim the title on February 6.

What are the U19 cricket world cup standings today?

With Super 6 complete, here’s where every team stands heading into the semifinals on February 2–3.

Super 6 Table

The final standings below reflect points earned from matches against other qualified teams, with NRR used as the tiebreaker when points are level.

Group Team P W L NRR PTS Position
Group 1 Australia U19 4 4 0 +1.950 8 1st
Group 1 Afghanistan U19 4 3 1 +1.725 6 2nd
Group 1 Sri Lanka U19 4 3 1 -0.113 6 3rd
Group 2 India U19 4 4 0 +2.585 8 1st
Group 2 England U19 4 4 0 +1.757 8 2nd
Group 2 Pakistan U19 4 2 2 +0.765 4 3rd

Group Stage Recap

The Super 6 format carried forward the top three teams from each group, with matches played in Windhoek, Harare, and Bulawayo (CricketNews). Australia and India dominated their respective groups from the opening fixtures, never wavering despite pressure from Afghanistan and England respectively.

For readers tracking the numbers: Australia’s +1.950 NRR and India’s +2.585 NRR are the standout figures, reflecting not just wins but dominant margins across multiple fixtures.

Bottom line: Australia U19 and India U19 sit as the tournament’s frontrunners with the best NRR figures. Pakistan U19’s campaign ends in the semifinals despite a competitive showing — the math of points and run rate simply didn’t favor them after the India loss. England’s unbeaten run in Group 2 keeps them alive as a title contender, but they’ll need to upset either Australia or India to lift the trophy on Feb 6.

Timeline

Jan 25, 2026
Super 6 Match 1: Australia U19 beat South Africa U19 by 6 wickets in Windhoek (CricketNews)
Jan 26, 2026
Super 6 Match 4: Sri Lanka U19 beat Afghanistan U19 by 4 wickets in Windhoek (NDTV Sports)
Jan 26, 2026
Super 6 Match 3: England U19 beat Bangladesh U19 by 7 wickets in Bulawayo (NDTV Sports)
Jan 27, 2026
Super 6 Match 6: India U19 beat Zimbabwe U19 by 204 runs in Bulawayo (NDTV Sports)
Jan 27, 2026
Super 6 Match 5: Pakistan U19 beat New Zealand U19 by 8 wickets in Harare (NDTV Sports)
Jan 28, 2026
Super 6 Match 7: Australia U19 beat West Indies U19 by 22 runs in Harare (CricketNews)
Feb 1, 2026
Super 6 Match 12: India U19 beat Pakistan U19 by 58 runs in Bulawayo — Group 2 standings confirmed (NDTV Sports)
Feb 2, 2026
Semi-final 1: Australia U19 vs India U19 (SuperSport)
Feb 3, 2026
Semi-final 2: Afghanistan U19 vs England U19 (SuperSport)
Feb 6, 2026
Final at Harare Sports Club (SuperSport)

Upsides

  • Australia and India confirmed as dominant forces with best NRR figures
  • England’s unbeaten run keeps tournament competitive entering semifinals
  • Afghanistan’s NRR (+1.725) proves they belong in semifinal conversation

Downsides

  • Pakistan exits despite competitive showing — 2 wins, 4 points
  • Bangladesh’s no-result count creates data inconsistencies
  • Sri Lanka’s negative NRR (-0.113) limits semifinal prospects

What experts say

India, England, Australia and Afghanistan will play in the semi-final. The top two teams from each Super Six group advance to the semi-finals.

— CricketNews cricket tournament coverage outlet

England U19 and India U19 both unbeaten in Group 2 Super 6 with 4 wins each.

— Cricket Australia official team data

The upshot

The semifinal matchup between Australia and India isn’t just a grudge game — it’s a clash between the tournament’s two best net run rate performers (+1.950 vs +2.585), with the winner effectively locking up the title favorite status heading into the Feb 6 final.

Why this matters

Afghanistan’s qualification for the semifinals marks their best-ever Super 6 performance in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, with an NRR of +1.725 that reflects genuine competitiveness against top-tier opponents.

For cricket fans in India, Pakistan, and across the subcontinent, the under-19 stage has historically served as a preview of future international stars. The 2026 edition has delivered — with India, Australia, and England all producing performances that suggest the next generation of Test-capable players is in strong hands.

Related reading: New Zealand vs Australia Match Scorecard · Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match Scorecard

Frequently asked questions

What is the format of U19 Cricket World Cup?

The tournament features 16 teams in a group stage, followed by a Super 6 stage where the top three from each group advance. Each Super 6 team plays two matches, carrying forward points earned against other qualified teams. The top two from each Super 6 group advance to the semifinals (CricketNews).

How is NRR calculated in U19 World Cup?

Net Run Rate (NRR) is calculated as runs scored per over divided by runs conceded per over across all matches. A positive NRR means a team scores faster than it concedes; negative means the opposite. When teams are level on points, NRR determines final standings (NDTV Sports).

When is the U19 Cricket World Cup final?

The final is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe (SuperSport).

Who won U19 World Cup 2026 title?

The final takes place on February 6 between the winners of Semi-final 1 (Australia U19 vs India U19) and Semi-final 2 (Afghanistan U19 vs England U19) (SuperSport).

What are Super 6 standings?

In Super 6 Group 1: Australia U19 leads with 8 points, followed by Afghanistan U19 (6 points). In Super 6 Group 2: India U19 and England U19 both have 8 points, with India leading on NRR. Pakistan U19 finished third in Group 2 (NDTV Sports).

Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is an Indian cricketer who gained attention during the 2026 Under-19 World Cup for his performances in the middle order. He played a key role in India’s dominant Super 6 campaign and is being closely watched as a future international prospect.

What are U19 World Cup records?

India U19’s +2.585 NRR in this tournament ranks among the highest recorded in recent U19 World Cup history. Australia U19’s previous U19 World Cup triumph came in 2024, making them the defending champions heading into the 2026 edition (CricketNews).