England crush Scotland by 252 runs

Ben Mayes produced a record-breaking innings of 191 to lead England Under-19s to a commanding 252-run victory over Scotland, while Afghanistan extended their winning momentum with a nine-wicket triumph over Tanzania in the ICC Under-19 World Cup group-stage matches on Wednesday.

Batting first, England piled up a daunting 404 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs, built around a monumental 188-run second-wicket partnership between Ben Mayes and Joseph Moores.

After opener Ben Dawkins fell early for five, Mayes joined Moores and immediately took charge, racing to a half-century off just 32 balls as England surged to 102-1.

Moores played a fluent knock of 81 off 65 balls, striking four fours and five sixes, before being dismissed in the 24th over. Mayes, however, remained relentless, forming further partnerships with the middle order and dominating the Scottish bowling attack.

The right-hander was eventually dismissed in the 45th over after a stunning 191 off 117 deliveries, an innings featuring 18 fours and eight sixes, the highest individual score by an England batter in Youth ODIs.

At the time of his dismissal, England were cruising at 354-5. Jake Woodhouse was the standout bowler for Scotland with three wickets.

In response, Scotland never recovered from early setbacks and were bowled out for 152 in 44.5 overs.

 After a steady opening stand of 38, wickets fell in quick succession. Caleb Falconer starred with the ball for England, claiming three wickets, while Luke Hands and Alex Green dismantled the top order.

Finlay Carter top-scored for Scotland with 34, while Ethan Ramsay remained unbeaten on 20.

In the other Group D encounter, Afghanistan Under-19s continued their impressive run, thrashing Tanzania by nine wickets.

Tanzania were skittled for just 85 runs in 36 overs, with Nooristani Omarzai delivering a devastating spell of 5 for 9 in seven overs, supported by Uzairullah Niazai, who took two wickets.

Chasing a modest target of 86, Afghanistan reached the total in just 12.4 overs, sealing their third consecutive victory of the tournament and further strengthening their position in the group standings.