Highlights: England started their U19 World Cup 2024 campaign with a seven-wicket win against Scotland at Potchefstroom on the back of solid performances from Farhan Ahmed and captain Ben McKinney.

England, runners-up of the 2022 U19 World Cup, started the 2024 edition with an easy win against Scotland at Senwes Park. Chasing 175, they got home in only 26.2 overs, for the loss of three wickets.

Asked to bat, Scotland ran into early trouble against Farhan Ahmed (3-22), the 15-year-old brother of leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, and were 28-2 after 10 overs before Jamie Dunk (40) and captain-wicketkeeper Owen Gould (48) added 40 to keep them afloat.

However, Luc Benkenstein (3-41) snared both, after which Scotland kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They were eventually bowled out for 184 in the last over. Their specialist batter Harry Armstrong was absent hurt – an unusual occurrence in the first innings of any match.

In response, Jaydn Denly (40 in 50 balls) and captain Ben McKinney (88 in 68) effectively killed the match with a 106-run opening stand in 94 balls. After a point, the only matter of interest was whether McKinney would get his hundred: he fell 12 short when England were 13 away from a win.

The win helped England secure a net run rate of +3.279 and jump to the top of the points table of Group B, ahead of South Africa, who have also won their only match but have a net run rate of +0.620.

Watch highlights of the England-Scotland match at the 2024 U19 World Cup:

A good all-round showing as England make a strong first impression ✨

Catch the match highlights 🎥 #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/SxtnVwr3iF

— ICC (@ICC) January 21, 2024

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