Japan capped off their U19 World Cup 2026 campaign with a statement nine-wicket demolition of Tanzania in playoff-1 at Windhoek’s High Performance Oval. The lopsided Saturday contest for 13th place drew curtains on both teams’ journeys, shifting focus to the Super-6 contenders.
Batting first after a favorable toss, Tanzania’s top order disintegrated quickly. At 2/1 after Karim Rashid’s duck, Acre Hugo and Ayan Sharif rebuilt through a 79-run stand, reaching 81/2. Hugo blazed 55 in 77 balls, smashing three sixes and three fours in a bid to accelerate.
Post-Hugo, Sharif and Rehan Atif added 37 for the third wicket, with Atif on 16 and Sharif crafting 40 off 89 (1×4). But the lower order failed, all out for 131 in 38.3 overs. Japan’s Nihar Parmar was the wrecker-in-chief with four wickets, backed by Nikhil Pol’s three and Charles Hinje’s two.
Target in sight, Japan’s innings exploded thanks to openers Nihar Parmar and Taylor W’s electric 122-run partnership in 162 balls. Taylor’s 47 was cut short by a run-out, yet Parmar remained not out on 53 (74 balls, 4x4s), partnering Nikhil Pol’s unbeaten 12 to wrap up the chase in 28.2 overs.
Eliminated alongside Japan and Tanzania are Scotland and USA, slated for playoff-2 on January 26. Super-6 Group 1 lineup: South Africa, Ireland, Afghanistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia. In Group 2, India shares the stage with Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England, Pakistan, New Zealand.