India vs Afghanistan highlights, U19 World Cup 2026 Semifinal: India crush Afghanistan by 7 wickets, set up final clash with England

India vs Afghanistan Live Score, U19 World Cup 2026 Semifinal: India reached the ICC Under-19 World Cup final after beating Afghanistan by seven wickets on Wednesday in Harare, riding on a century from Aaron George and half-centuries from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre. India will face England in the final on Friday. This will be India’s 10th appearance in an Under-19 World Cup final.

Chasing 311, India completed the target in 41.1 overs, recording their highest successful chase in the history of the tournament. Aaron George anchored the innings with 115 off 104 balls, while Sooryavanshi scored 68 off 33 balls and Mhatre made 62 off 59 deliveries. India maintained a run rate of over seven runs per over for most of the chase.

Afghanistan had earlier posted 310 for four after being asked to bat. The total was built around centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazal. Faisal scored 110 off 93 balls, while Niazal remained unbeaten on 101 off 86 balls as the Indian bowlers found it difficult to take wickets regularly.

Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai struck contrasting centuries to power Afghanistan Under-19 to an imposing 310 for 4 against India in their ICC U-19 World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan made a cautious start, managing just 42 runs in the first 10 overs. Openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai laid the foundation, adding 53 for the first wicket before Ahmadzai was caught by Abhigyan Kundu off Deepesh Devendran for 31.

Sadat continued to grind it out but fell for 39 off 70 balls, caught by Deepesh Devendran off Kanishk Chouhan, leaving Afghanistan at 117 for 2 in the 25th over.

That brought together Shinozada and Niazai, and the duo stitched together the defining partnership of the innings — a commanding 148-run stand that swung momentum decisively in Afghanistan’s favour. Shinozada, coming off a century in his previous outing, once again displayed composure and consistency, compiling 110 off 93 balls with 15 fours. His knock provided stability through the middle overs before he was bowled by Devendran in the 46th over, completing back-to-back hundreds.

While Shinozada held one end, Niazai unleashed at the other. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 101 off 86 deliveries, striking 12 fours and two sixes, accelerating sharply in the final phase despite receiving treatment on his left arm during the innings.

Azizullah Miakhil chipped in with a brisk 12 before being dismissed by Chouhan, while Abdul Aziz finished strongly with an unbeaten seven off three balls as Afghanistan crossed the 300-run mark.

For India, Devendran (2/64) and Chouhan (2/55) were the only wicket-takers. Khilan Patel was the most economical, conceding just 49 runs in his 10 overs, while Henil Patel and RS Ambrish went wicketless despite sustained spells.