Pakistan edge Australia by one wicket to win Masters O40s World Cup

Pakistan recovered from 36 for four to defeat Australia by one wicket with one ball remaining and claim the 2026 IMC Masters O40s World Cup title at the National Stadium, Providence, on Saturday.

Chasing 282, Pakistan reached 282 for nine in 44.5 overs, with Adnan Akmal scoring 83 and Jawad Mansoor adding 62 to lead the recovery. Syed Fariduddin then completed a strong all-round performance with an unbeaten 24 from 16 balls after taking four wickets for 40 runs.
The tense finish came after Australia posted 281 for six from their 45 overs, built around Greg Hunt’s 103 and captain Steve Paulsen’s 70.
Pakistan’s reply suffered early setbacks as Jamie Panelli dismissed Fahad Jabbar for one, Imran Khan for three and Tofeeq Umer for 11. Brenton Edwards removed Sheharyar Ghani for eight, leaving Pakistan struggling at 36 for four after 10 overs.
Tariq Mahmood helped steady the innings with 41 from 46 balls, striking eight fours before falling to Paulsen with the score at 103 for five.
Akmal and Mansoor then shared a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 115 to bring Pakistan back into contention. Akmal struck 10 fours and a six in his 84-ball innings, while Mansoor hit seven fours and a six from 57 deliveries.
Edwards dismissed Akmal at 218 for six, and Panelli removed Mansoor with Pakistan on 236, leaving the lower order to finish the chase.
Waseem Ali contributed 22 from 17 balls before being run out at 278 for eight. Muhammad Khalil was also run out, leaving Pakistan needing two runs from the final three deliveries with one wicket remaining.
Fariduddin, whose unbeaten innings included two sixes, and captain Junaid Nainitalwala, who finished on one, saw Pakistan home with a delivery to spare.
Panelli led Australia’s bowling with four for 48 from 8.5 overs, while Edwards claimed two for 56 and Paulsen took one for 45.
Earlier, Australia elected to bat and received an opening contribution of 46 from 43 balls from Glen Batticciotto, who struck four fours and three sixes. Ryan Broad made 13 before both openers fell to Fariduddin.
Hunt and Paulsen added 128 for the third wicket to build Australia’s innings. Hunt’s century came from 102 balls and included four fours and six sixes, while Paulsen faced 76 deliveries and struck five fours.
Steven Spoljaric finished unbeaten on 17, Matthew Weaver made eight and Edwards scored two. Australia’s total included 22 extras.
Fariduddin was Pakistan’s leading bowler with four for 40 from nine overs, including a maiden, while Waseem Ali took two for 64.