Tactical Masterclass or Ethical Grey Area: Pakistan U19’s calculated chase against Zimbabwe U19 sparks debate at ICC U19 World Cup

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan’s final group game against Zimbabwe in the 2026 Under-19 World Cup wasn’t just about securing victory—it was about playing the long game. Chasing 129 in Harare, Pakistan raced to 84 by the 14th over, but then deliberately slowed down, ensuring Zimbabwe’s qualification to the Super Six stage while simultaneously boosting their own net run rate for the next round.

The tactic meant Scotland, who were in pole position midway through the chase, were eliminated. By stretching the chase to 26.2 overs, Pakistan carried forward a stronger net run rate from their win over Zimbabwe rather than Scotland—an advantage that could prove crucial in the Super Sixes. ICC rules technically forbid deliberate match manipulation, but proving intent is notoriously difficult.

This calculated slowdown echoes Steve Waugh’s strategy in the 1999 ODI World Cup, showing that cricket’s tactical battles extend far beyond bat and ball.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Andy Flower on Pakistan’s tactics vs Zimbabwe:

“They needed to first establish they weren’t going to lose the game, and then they just slowed down to make sure Zimbabwe got through. Some people may question the ethics of that, but I personally don’t.”

“The last ten overs or so, Pakistan have played a cunning game. The way Pakistan are going about business, they are probably aware of the fact that if they qualify for the Super Six along with Zimbabwe, they carry through a better net run rate as opposed to with Scotland.”

“I thought it was a justifiable tactic on their part. When they go through to the Super Sixes, they will take their net run rate, which will include the Zimbabwe game but doesn't include the Scotland game.”

“I think it was a fair tactic and didn’t bring the game into disrepute. It must be hard for Scotland to be watching this.”

 

[sweep_shot]

Nothing wrong with what Pakistan did. It improved their Super Six NRR.

Teams should do what is good for them.

In World Cups, ethics should take a backseat. All about legalities. These small things add up.

 

[Sachin fan]

That's actually pretty genius of them, if they indeed did it deliberately.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Wait for some usual guys to make a mess here

 

[Devadwal]

Wait for some usual guys to make a mess here

Can I do this honour ? .they deliberately slow it down , maybe ICC should look at spot fixing angle knowing Pakistan past history about fixing .

 

[BouncerGuy]

Can I do this honour ? .they deliberately slow it down , maybe ICC should look at spot fixing angle knowing Pakistan past history about fixing .

Or maybe keep in mind the India fixing incidents as well... neighbours you know..

 

[Devadwal]

Or maybe keep in mind the India fixing incidents as well... neighbours you know..

Was that india match? I mean india ko har jagah leke ana hai.

This thread is about Pakistan . Right ? Obsession with india is real

 

[BouncerGuy]

Was that india match? I mean india ko har jagah leke ana hai.

This thread is about Pakistan . Right ? Obsession with india is real

Fixing mein India ka name na ay, ye kaisay ho sakta ha bhai g..

Anyway, you think Pakistan fixed the game???

 

[Muhammad Saad]

I really doubt that they genius of that level.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Who is Pak U19 coaches? This sort of thinking isn't common among Pakistani think tank.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Nothing wrong with it. Australia vs West Indies 1999 World Cup match was similar.
It's not a question of players being smart but someone from the backroom staff would've calculated the overs to chase it in and the players would've followed that template

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Who is Pak U19 coaches? This sort of thinking isn't common among Pakistani think tank.

Shahid Anwar

 

[BouncerGuy]

Who is Pak U19 coaches? This sort of thinking isn't common among Pakistani think tank.

Sarfaraz ahmed, mansoor amjad, rao itikhar,

 

[Bhaijaan]

High IQ future generation of Pakistan is a scary prospect for Endia dear.

 

[zahid01]

I don't think they have brains to think that level apart from minhas they are not capable of scoring at a fast rate I think they just played like this regardless

 

[Major]

Who is Pak U19 coaches? This sort of thinking isn't common among Pakistani think tank.

Shahid anwar, but the karachi fans will say sarfraz ahmed lol

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I was quite surprised that firstly it was deliberate and secondly it was thought by someone in our u-19 set up.

 

[mon858]

Pleasant surprise. The way things have been going with u 19 and Shaheen and emerging trams, maybe worth considering moving some of the support staff next to Hesson and for red ball perhaps.

 

[G0rmintAunty]

That's actually pretty genius of them, if they indeed did it deliberately.

The did do it deliberately and neither that subtly either. They were 84 at 14, needing just 45 in 11 overs but they slowed down drastically scoring 36 in 12 overs an no boundary in 89 balls. What made it even more obvious was Sameer finishing with 2 6s in 2 balls once the 26 overs were done. The subtlety of a bull in a china shop but I'll take it.

 

[Asad T]

never thought we had it to use our brains
i'm a bit more hopeful of the next generation of pak cricketers

 

[G0rmintAunty]

never thought we had it to use our brains
i'm a bit more hopeful of the next generation of pak cricketers

Do you really think it was the teenagers that came up with this strategy?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Do you really think it was the teenagers that came up with this strategy?

No chance.... Must be someone in the staff... Sarfaraz?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

The debate on the legality or technicality of what Pak did is absolutely insane.

ICC has created a format intentionally to ensure that the top 3 teams instead of top 2 move to the next stage because they do not want the big teams to drop out in the first round. That is format fixing and group fixing of the highest order.

The next so called Super Six phase is even more diabolical. You only get to play 2 matches which means that if you have zero points in the second round, there's no chance that you will qualify for the semi-final as there will already be two teams in the pool with 4 points and a positive net run-rate & they need only 1 win or rain effected game to make it to top 4.

ICC is the most useless sporting body, it's like Pakistan's parliament. No real power or intellect, just shashkay

 

[IAJ]

What surprised me more than the debate about whether it was in the spirit of the game was the mere fact that Pakistan had the intelligence to pull this off

 

[pakistani pride]

Why is cricket always such a cry sport (if thats good English). I mean teams will always do and execute what is in their best interest!

 

[emranabbas]

Shahid anwar, but the karachi fans will say sarfraz ahmed lol

Why cant it be sarfaraz?

He won you u19 world cup and ct17

 

[pakistani pride]

Why cant it be sarfaraz?

He won you u19 world cup and ct17

No matter what people say, Sarfaraz belongs in the GOAT group when it comes to Pakistan cricket. Beating arch rivals in two ICC finals is something only he managed as Pakistan captain. None of the other so called greats were ever able to pull that off. Results on the biggest stage matter, and Sarfaraz delivered when it counted most.

 

[Asad T]

Do you really think it was the teenagers that came up with this strategy?

fair point, but they still executed it

 

[GOSH11]

About bloody time that a Pakistan cricket side showed some savvy with NRR.... long may it continue In sha Allah.

Wc 2019 still rings loudly... hit form at the right time and NRR was a dagger!

 

[Major]

Why cant it be sarfaraz?

He won you u19 world cup and ct17

People from karachi love to give credit to their own people.

Sarfraz is mentor not the coach. The coach has been overshadowed lately.

 

[Major]

Regarding the debate of the ethics of this is ridiculous. Instead of debating on that, i think what people should be debating is the concept of carry forwarding of points and NRR. That i think is a stupid concept and ruins things. Make the tournaments simple.

 

[CricVet]

Regarding the debate of the ethics of this is ridiculous. Instead of debating on that, i think what people should be debating is the concept of carry forwarding of points and NRR. That i think is a stupid concept and ruins things. Make the tournaments simple.

Some Karachi guy must have stolen your Ajrak.

 

[maha3us]

Ethics is not important. It is fine as long as what the team does is well within the rules. Same has to be the case when the bowler appeals after mankading out the batsman or the bowling team appeals when the batsman handles the ball, obstructs the field or the batsman could be timed out. These are all well within the rules. Same on the case of Pakistan's calculated chase against Zimbabwe.