WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – JANUARY 18: Khatir Stanikzai of Afghanistan celebrates taking the wicket of Micah McKenzie of West Indies during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 match between West Indies and Afghanistan at HP Oval on January 18, 2026 in Windhoek, Namibia. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
January 18, 2026
The West Indies Under-19s suffered their first setback at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Sunday, crashing to a 138-run defeat to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat, and that they did, amassing 262-6 from their 50 overs. Wicketkeeper Mahboob Khan struck 86 from 65 balls, inclusive of ten 4s and two 6s. He was ably supported by Osman Dedat, who anchored the innings, hitting 88 from 131 balls with 9x4s.
Jakeem Pollard took 3-39 and Vitel Lawes 3-48 bowling for the West Indies, but when they batted, they could only muster a paltry 124 runs and were bowled out in 33.2 overs.
Only two batters got into double digits in Jewel Andrew, who hit 57 from 70 balls, with four 4s and three 6s at a strike rate of 81 per cent. The next best batsman was Jakeem Pollard, batting at number 10, who made 11 runs, including one six.
Nooristani captured 4-16, Wahid Zadran took 3-36 and Khatir Stanikzar took 3-20 as they destroyed the West Indies batting lineup.
Afghanistan now lead Group D with four points, with the West Indies second on two points. South Africa and Tanzania are pointless and they face each other on Monday morning Jamaican time.
The West Indies will face South Africa in their final Group D match on Thursday, January 22.
