HARARE: Dominant India humbled Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second semi-final of the U19 World Cup 2026 to secure a place in the final for the record 10th time here at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
India breezed past Afghanistan to chase a 311-run target in 41.1 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.
This was also the highest target chased in the U19 Men’s World Cup’s history.
The foundation of chasing down a big total was laid by openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, adding 90 in just 9.3 overs.
Sooryavanshi played the core aggressor role with a quick-fire 68 from just 33 balls, including four sixes and nine fours.
After his departure, Aaron George, alongside the skipper Ayush Mhatre, held the innings together with a mammoth 114 run parntership that took the game away from Afghanistan.
The pair brought the team’s total to 204 in 26.2 overs. The stand was eventually broken with Mhatre’s wicket, who made 62 off 59 with the help of four sixes and five fours.
Meanwhile, George continued on and went on to score a century. He was involved in another stand of 96 runs with Vihaan Malhotra that put them on the cusp of a victory.
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The right-hander was eventually dismissed when India’s scorecard read 300 in 39.3 overs. He made 115 from 104 balls peppered with 15 fours and two sixes.
Vihaan Malhotra remained unbeaten on 38 from 47, striking three fours that ensured India crossed the finishing line without a major hiccup.
For Afghanistan, Nooristani Omarzai picked up two wickets.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up 310-4 in 50 overs.
Afghanistan’s openers provided a steady start with a 53-run partnership in 12.2 overs.
After the opening wicket, Faisal Shinozada put on a 64-run partnership with Khalid Ahmadzai, who made 31.
The highlight of the Afghanistan innings was 148 run stand between Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada. The pair took the score from 117 to 265 in 45.5 overs.
Shinozada was cleaned bowled after scoring 110 from 93 with the aid of 15 fours.
Meanwhile, Uzairullah Niazai marched on, scoring an unbeaten century which put Afghanistan into a commanding position. Niazai scored 101 from 86, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.
For India, Kanishk Chouhan and Deepesh Devendran scalped two apiece.
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