India Beats AFG In U19 World Cup Semi Final: The India Under-19 cricket team defeated Afghanistan in the semi-final of the 2026 U19 World Cup in comfortable fashion. They now head into the final, where they will face England.
Today was the second semi-final of the 2026 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The tournament is taking place in Zimbabwe. This particular match was played at the Harare Sports Club in the national capital and saw the Afghans win the toss, deciding to bat first on a batting-friendly pitch.
India Beats AFG In U19 World Cup Semi Final: What Happened in the Match
Afghanistan got off to a decent start to their inning. The opening duo of Khalid Ahmadzai and Osman Sadat made 42 runs in the first 10 overs. The partnership was worth 53 runs in the end, as Ahmadzai was dismissed in the 12th.
Another decent partnership was next, as Sadat batted with Faisal Khan for the next 12 overs, adding 64 runs together. By the time Osman Sadat was out in the 24th over for 39 off 70, the score was 117/2.
The third-wicket partnership was between two centurions, as Faisal Khan and Uzairullah Zaizai both made a ton. Faisal made 110 off 93, while Naizai scored 101 off 86. The two took the Afghanistan U19 cricket team past the 300-run mark, to 310/4 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.
Chasing a big score in a knockout match, the IndiaU19 cricket team got off to an excellent start. Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a half-century in just 24 balls. By the time he was dismissed in the ninth over for 68 off just 33, the Indian scoreline was 90/1.
The other opener, Aaron George, made his impact differently, playing the anchor of the inning. The second-wicket partnership between him and captain Ayush Mhatre lasted 17 overs, and the two made 114 runs together. Mhatre made 62 off 59 before getting out.
Aaron George took the Boys in Blue quite near to the finish line, getting out in the 40th over for 115 off 104. At this time, India had already reached the 300-run mark.
Vihaan Malhotra at No. 4 also made some decent runs, scoring 38 off 47. He took the team home, as India U19 reached the target of 311 runs in 41.1 overs. They won the match by seven wickets with 53 balls to spare.
For his excellent century, Aaron George was named the Player of the Match.
With this win, the India U19 cricket team has reached the final of the 2026 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. They will face England in the final, who defeated Australia in the first semi-final. The final will be played on Friday, February 6, at the Harare Sports Club.
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