West Indies Under-19 Cricket Team Secures Series Lead with Close Victory Against Pakistan

The West Indies Under-19 cricket team emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against their Pakistani counterparts, securing a narrow 12-run win in the first One-Day International of their bilateral series. The match, held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday, August 30, 2025, showcased a compelling display of youthful talent and competitive spirit from both sides. The West Indies’ triumph laid the foundation for a promising series, setting the stage for an exciting second encounter scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd, also at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The West Indies Under-19s, batting first, set a challenging target of 256 runs, losing all their wickets in the final over of their allotted 50. Their innings was anchored by a mature and elegant knock of 83 runs from Jonathan Van Lange, who demonstrated composure and technique beyond his years. Van Lange’s innings provided the backbone for the West Indies total, allowing other batsmen to play more freely around him. Despite the eventual all-out dismissal, the young Caribbean side managed to post a competitive total, setting the stage for an intriguing chase by the Pakistan Under-19s. The Pakistan bowling attack, however, displayed moments of brilliance, with Akash emerging as the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for just 33 runs. His disciplined bowling kept the West Indies batsmen in check and prevented them from posting an even more imposing total.

Pakistan’s chase of 257 was marked by a valiant effort, showcasing the resilience and fighting spirit of their young cricketers. They came agonisingly close to victory, eventually being bowled out for 244 in 48.2 overs. The highlight of their innings was a spectacular century by Gamage, who blasted a scintillating 123. His innings was a blend of power and finesse, keeping Pakistan in the hunt throughout the chase. Gamage’s knock was a testament to his individual brilliance but ultimately proved insufficient to carry his team over the finish line. The West Indies bowling attack, despite facing the onslaught from Gamage, managed to maintain composure and restrict the flow of runs in crucial moments.

The West Indies’ bowling performance was characterized by disciplined bowling and crucial breakthroughs at regular intervals. Jakeem Pollard spearheaded the attack with a stellar performance, bagging 3 wickets for 34 runs. His ability to pick up wickets at critical junctures stifled Pakistan’s momentum and ultimately played a decisive role in securing the victory for his team. Pollard’s contribution was complemented by the collective effort of the other bowlers, who maintained pressure on the Pakistani batsmen and prevented them from building substantial partnerships.

The 12-run victory for the West Indies Under-19s in the first One-Day International marks a positive start to their series against Pakistan. The match showcased the potential and talent within the ranks of both teams, promising an exciting and closely contested series. The close finish underlined the competitive nature of the encounter and highlighted the narrow margins that can separate victory and defeat in the game of cricket.

The victory also underscores the importance of individual brilliance within a team framework. While Jonathan Van Lange’s 83 provided a solid platform for the West Indies, Jakeem Pollard’s 3 wickets for 34 ultimately proved to be the decisive factor. Similarly, Gamage’s magnificent century for Pakistan demonstrated individual brilliance but ultimately couldn’t secure a win for his team, emphasizing the need for a collective team effort. With the West Indies now holding a 1-0 lead, the second One-Day International promises to be another enthralling contest. Both teams will undoubtedly draw valuable lessons from the first match, and the battle for supremacy is expected to intensify in the upcoming encounter.