At Namibia Cricket Ground, Ireland pulled off a stunning four-wicket chase to defeat Japan and storm into the Super-6 phase of the Under-19 World Cup 2026. The Thursday thriller left Japan ruing a missed opportunity after three losses, unable to capitalize on a decent batting effort.
Japan, batting after the toss loss, limped to 247-9. Early promise from Hugo Kelly (20) and Nihar Parmar (24) yielded 23, followed by Nikhil Pol’s duck-like 2. Slumping to 72-4 tested resolve, but Charles Hinje (57 off 70, 4×4, 1×6) and skipper Kazuma Kato Stafford (24) rebuilt with 68 runs.
The highlight was the 62-run surge for the eighth wicket between Gabriel Hinje (44) and Skylar Nakayama Cook (30) in 50 balls – pure acceleration. Ireland’s Oliver Riley, Adam Lecky (3 wickets each), and Samuel Haslett (2) orchestrated the containment.
Needing 248, Ireland’s duo of James West (19) and Freddie Ogilvie exploded for 48 in 8.2 overs. Ogilvie’s masterful 73 (2×6, 4×4) paired with Adam Lecky’s 44 (57 balls) for 95, lifting to 143. Sebastian Dijksman’s 55 sealed victory in 48 overs.
Japan’s bowlers shone sporadically: Kato Stafford, Timothy Moore (2 each), Pol, and Hinje (1 apiece). Yet Ireland’s depth prevailed.
From one win in three, Ireland advances with momentum. Japan exits, their golden window shut. This clash highlighted youth cricket’s unpredictability, with standout performers like Ogilvie and Hinje etching their names in the tournament lore.