Afghanistan U19 vs South Africa U19: 6th Match, Group D, ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 The 6th match of Group D pits Afghanistan U19 against South Africa U19 on January 16, 2026, at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Local start time is 1:00 PM CAT, which translates to 2:30 PM IST.
This 50-over clash marks the tournament opener for both sides in a competitive group that also includes West Indies and Tanzania. A win here gives a strong foothold toward the Super Six stage. Afghanistan qualified unbeaten from Asia but edged Nepal on net run rate, while South Africa brings depth from recent youth series.
Expect an average batting surface at High Performance Oval with balanced support for pace and spin, favoring disciplined bowling early on. Batsmen should settle in as the pitch flattens later. Cloudy skies loom overhead, keeping temperatures mild around 25-28°C with moderate humidity and light winds—ideal for uninterrupted play.
Head-to-Head Record
South Africa U19 holds a slight edge with 4 wins to Afghanistan’s 3 in 7 meetings, no ties or no-results (SA win % 57.14). Recent form tilts toward the Proteas too.
U19 World Cup Match Details
- Match: AFG U19 vs SA U19
- Date: January 16, 2026
- Time: 12:30 PM 7:30 AM GMT / 9:30 AM LOCAL
- Venue: High Performance Oval, Windhoek
U19 World Cup Live Streaming info
The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 runs from January 15 to February 6, 2026, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Five venues host all matches. The tournament features 41 ODIs, including group stage, Super Sixes, playoffs, semifinals, and final.
Live streaming for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 varies by country, with broadcasters like Star Sports, Disney Hotstar, and Willow TV holding major rights. Coverage starts January 15, accessible via apps, websites, and TV channels.
- India: Stream on Disney Hotstar app/website; telecast on Star Sports channels.
- USA/Canada: Willow TV and digital platforms for live coverage.
- Sri Lanka: Dialog Television (exclusive Pay-TV) partnering with TV Supreme for free-to-air broadcasts.
- Pakistan: Likely PTV Sports or streaming apps like Tamasha/Daraz (based on prior ICC deals).
Global Alternatives
ICC.tv offers free live streams in select regions like Europe, Middle East (excluding some countries), and parts of Africa, subject to geo-restrictions. Check official ICC site or local providers for VPN-free access and full listings.
Live Streaming Info:
Star Sports will be live: AFG U19 vs SA U19
Live Score Info:
Watch real-time scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and updates on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz,
Team Analysis: Afghanistan U19
Afghanistan enters with momentum from an unbeaten Asia Qualifier run and a U19 Asia Cup win over Nepal, though recent warm-ups showed mixed results like a narrow loss to Australia U19. Strengths lie in versatile spin—Zaitullah Shaheen, Hafieez Zadran, Wahid Zadran—and all-round depth, but batting relies heavily on openers amid inconsistent middle-order collapses. Captain Mahboob Khan leads a squad blending experience from qualifiers, with pacers like Nooristani adding bite; watch Uzairullah Niazai after his 275 runs in Bangladesh. Weakness: vulnerability to quality pace on seam-friendly tracks.
Probable XI
Mahboob Khan (c), Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Uzairullah Niazai, Aziz Mia Khil, Nazif Amiri, Faisal Khan, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani, Wahid Zadran, Zaitullah Shaheen
Team Analysis: South Africa U19
The Proteas boast pedigree, last winning the title in 2014, with recent tri-series wins over Zimbabwe but losses to Bangladesh highlighting bowling frailties. Batting firepower from captain Muhammad Bulbulia and all-rounders like Bandile Mbatha stands out, backed by a potent pace unit, though spin options remain untested. Recent warm-ups against India showed resilience in chases; they dominated Afghanistan in their latest encounter. Weakness: top-order fragility under pressure, as seen in warm-up defeats.
Probable XI
Muhammad Bulbulia (c), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha
Match Prediction
South Africa U19 shades it in a tight contest, leveraging superior head-to-head record, batting depth, and Windhoek’s pace-friendly conditions despite Afghanistan’s spin threat and qualifier grit. Expect SA to post 250+ and defend, winning by 20-30 runs.