Excitement peaks in Harare as the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final pits unbeaten India against England this Friday at Harare Sports Club. The ICC has appointed seasoned umpires Lubabalo Gcuma (South Africa) and Shaun Haig (New Zealand) for on-field duties, a decision announced Thursday.
Gcuma’s resume shines with India’s 18-run thriller over Bangladesh, Super Six vs Pakistan, and England’s seven-wicket stroll past Bangladesh. Haig officiated India’s semi-final demolition of Afghanistan (311 chased), marking his tourney debut with the English yet to come.
Zahid Basheer handles third umpire role, Masudur Mukul fourth, with Graeme La Brooy as referee. This renews the India-England final rivalry from 2022—the second such instance.
India, five-time champs, chase history in their 10th final; England, 1998 winners, seek repeat glory in their sixth. Path to final: India’s semi chase, England’s 27-run stunner over Australia.
Spotlighting squads—India’s Ayush Mhatre (c) with strike raiders Vaibhav Suryavanshi, pacers Kanishk Chauhan; England’s Thomas Reev (c/wk) backed by Ben Dawkins, spinner Farhan Ahmed. Depth and talent abound on both sides.
From opening overs to final ball, this match could redefine young careers. Unbeaten streaks on the line, only one team triumphs.
India Team: Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambarish, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Harvansh Pangalia, Mohammad Enan, Udhhav Mohan, Kishan Kumar Singh.
England Team: Ben Dawkins, Joseph Moores, Ben Mays, Thomas Reev (c/wk), Caleb Faulkner, Ralfy Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex French, Alex Green, Isaac Mohammed, Luke Hands, Will Benison, Ali Farooq.