India U-19 vs Afghanistan U-19 Semifinal Match Highlights: In a historic display of batting dominance, India U19 stormed into the final of the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 by pulling off the highest-ever successful run chase in the tournament’s history.
Facing a daunting target of 311 against a spirited Afghanistan side at the Harare Sports Club, the young Boys in Blue made the pursuit look remarkably comfortable, reaching the finish line with seven wickets in hand and nearly nine overs to spare.
This clinical performance not only secured India’s 10th appearance in a U19 World Cup final but also set up a high-stakes championship clash against England.
The match began with Afghanistan U-19 winning the toss and opting to bat — a decision that initially seemed inspired as they posted a formidable 310/4. Their innings was anchored by two sensational centuries that put the Indian bowlers under immense pressure.
Faisal Shinozada led the charge with a composed 110 off 93 balls, registering his second consecutive hundred of the tournament, while Uzairullah Niazai provided the late-innings fireworks with an unbeaten 101 off 86 deliveries.
The duo shared a massive 148-run partnership, punishing India’s wayward fielding and capitalising on a batting-friendly surface. Despite the onslaught, India’s Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan managed to pick up two wickets each, though they couldn’t prevent Afghanistan from crossing the 300-run mark.
Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the tone from ball one, tearing into the Afghan attack with a breathtaking 68 off 33 balls, laced with nine fours and four sixes. His fearless approach dismantled the bowling plans and ensured the chase never spiralled out of control.
After the early assault, captain Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George took charge, combining composure with controlled aggression. Mhatre anchored the innings with a crucial 62, while George played the defining knock of the match, compiling a classy 115 off 104 balls.
George’s century all but sealed the contest. Even when he fell with just 11 runs required, there were no jitters as Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi calmly guided India home in the 42nd over.
Unbeaten throughout the tournament, the defending champions now stand just one win away from a record-extending sixth U19 World Cup title, with England awaiting them in Friday’s final.
India National Under-19 Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Under-19 Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Afghanistan U19 310/4 in 50 overs (Faisal Shinozada 110, Uzairullah Niazai 101*, Osman Sadat 39; Kanishk Chouhan 2/55, Deepesh Devendran 2/64) lost to India U19 311/3 in 41.1 overs (Aaron George 115, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 68, Ayush Mhatre 62; Nooristani Omarzai 2/64, Wahidullah Zadran 1/67) by 7 wickets.
Most sixes in an U19 WC edition
18 - Dewald Brevis in 2022
15 - Jack Burnham in 2016
15 - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 2026
14 - Michael Hill in 2008
14 - Nicholas Pooran in 2014
Comments (0)