India Under-19 vs Afghanistan Under-19 Match Highlights & Results

Rivals reunite for one last showdown - And then there were two. This emphatic win sets up a repeat of the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup final, with India and England set to meet again in the summit clash. Back then, it was India who came out on top, and they will be looking to do the same, while England will be desperate to settle the score and get their hands on the title for the first time since 1998. We will be back here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday, 6 February, for the grand finale. It gets underway at 7.30 am GMT (1 pm IST), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the clash. Until then, cheers and goodbye.

The victorious skipper of India Under-19 - Ayush Mhatre says it is a great feeling to have made the final. He feels Afghanistan got off to a nice start with the bat, but was pleased with how his side pulled things back through the middle phase. Mhatre also praises Afghanistan for the way they finished their innings. He reveals that the message at the halfway mark was to play their natural game. He highlights the role of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the chase, saying his batting played a massive role in easing the pressure on those waiting in the dressing room. Mhatre reserves special praise for Aaron George, calling him a fabulous and classy batter. He shares that George looked confident at the crease and that the team always felt a big score from him was just around the corner. Ayush mentions that the approach for the final will be to keep things simple and show a good attitude on the field. He thanks the fans for their support and promises that the team will give their absolute best in the final. When asked about the short turnaround between games, Mhatre replies that the team is used to such schedules, having played plenty of cricket in India, where matches often come with just a day's gap.

The captain of Afghanistan Under-19 - Mahboob Khan says that it was a good total, but they dropped two catches, and the bowlers did not hit the correct lengths, which cost them. Adds that the batting was really good, but it was a bad day for them. Praises Faisal Khan for his batting, says he is the best scorer in the tournament and calls him a future star. Also credits Uzairullah Niazai for his ton, and tells that the wicket was really good for batting and stayed the same. Mentions that it was a big total to defend, but they just could not do that, and it is part of the game. Ends by saying that he is proud of his team, qualifying through the group stages and working really hard to make it to the semis.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Aaron George has been given the award for his fantastic 115 off 104 balls. He says he is grateful for the opportunity and delighted to be able to contribute in such a crucial game for the team. He admits the runs had not come in recent matches, but felt his batting was in a good place and trusted that a performance like this was just around the corner. George adds that he kept believing in himself, backed his process, and was pleased to see it come together when it mattered most. He also credits the collective effort, saying everyone played to their full potential on the day, and now the focus shifts to the final, which he says the team is really looking forward to.

Presentation Time...

Afghan attack put to the sword - Well, what can you say about the Afghanistan bowling? They were taken apart from the very start. Dropping both Indian openers inside the first 10 overs proved hugely costly and, in many ways, decided the game right there, as they simply could not recover from those missed opportunities. Even though Nooristani picked up a couple of wickets, the damage was already done, while Wahid Zadran and Abdul Aziz had one each, with Aziz also overstepping on a wicket ball to sum up a night where both their bowling and fielding lacked the sharpness needed against a quality opposition in a knockout game.

Twin tons set the tone in a run-fest - Earlier in the game, Afghanistan piled on a massive total, powered by twin centuries from Faisal Khan and Uzairullah Niazai, who stitched together a commanding 148-run stand for the third wicket. Their late surge was particularly brutal, with 111 runs coming in the final 10 overs, although with wickets in hand and a true batting surface, they might feel they left a few more out there by not accelerating earlier. For India Under-19, D. Deepesh and Kanishk Chouhan claimed a couple of wickets apiece, but there are clear concerns around the bowling, especially at the death, an area they will need to tidy up quickly before the big finale.

Top order makes light work of a big chase - In a big chase like this, you need a fast start, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered exactly that with a sublime 68 off just 33 balls, setting the tone early with Aaron George as India Under-19 raced to 91 in 10 overs, a stand that virtually broke the back of the chase. Ayush Mhatre then took over, smashing his way to his second half-century of the campaign while adding another dominant 114-run partnership with George, who was the star with 115 off 104 balls to take India to the cusp of victory, even if he would have been disappointed not to finish the job himself, and with all of the top four among the runs, India go into the final full of confidence.

India storm into another U-19 World Cup final - In a battle of blues, it is the lighter shade that reigns supreme as India book their place in a 10th Men's Under-19 World Cup final, where they will meet England, returning to the summit clash after the heartbreak against Australia a couple of years ago. This is a statement performance in every sense, as they pull off the highest successful chase in Under-19 World Cups with almost nine overs to spare. However, there is still plenty of credit due to Afghanistan Under-19, who once again fall just short on the big stage and will have to wait a little longer to take that next step forward.

Wahid Zadran to Vedant Trivedi, 1 run.India Under-19 are into the final! Zadran drops it short, slower through the air, on middle. Vedant turns it through square leg and picks up the winning run. India complete the highest successful run chase in Under-19 World Cups with relative ease. They get over the line with 7 wickets in hand and 53 balls to spare.

Rohullah Arab to Vihaan Malhotra, 2 runs.Scores are level! Fuller, around the off stump and quicker as well. Malhotra punches it down the ground to the right of long on. He calls for two, and Vedant gets home at the danger end before the throw comes in.

Rohullah Arab to Vihaan Malhotra, Four!FOUR! Sweetly struck! Arab bowls it a bit short, on middle, Vihaan is quick to pick up the length and rocks on the back foot. Pulls it aerially and to the left of the long on fielder for a boundary. India need 3 more runs.

Rohullah Arab to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Pushed through, on a nagging length, on off. Vihaan plays it from the crease to cover.

Rohullah Arab to Vedant Trivedi, 1 run.Shorter and outside off, a bit of turn, Trivedi cuts it to deep cover for a single.

Rohullah Arab to Vedant Trivedi, No run.In line with the off stump, a bit fuller, Vedant pushes it to cover.

Rohullah Arab to Vedant Trivedi, No run.Flat and short by Arab, outside off. The ball stays a bit low and Vedant chops it down to point.

Powerplay 3. Five fielders are allowed outside the circle, but with just 8 runs needed, it does not matter much now.

Wahid Zadran to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Full and speared in, on middle, Vihaan wrists it to mid-wicket.

Wahid Zadran to Vedant Trivedi, 1 run.Full and on middle, Trivedi drives it to long on and gets to the other end.

Wahid Zadran to Vedant Trivedi, 2 runs.Fractionally short, on middle. Trivedi works it using his wrists through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

India Under-19 are almost home, but still the job needs to be finished. Vedant Trivedi joins Vihaan Malhotra out in the middle now.

Wahid Zadran to Aaron George, OUT! c sub Nazif Amiri b Wahid Zadran.OUT! CAUGHT! Aaron George throws his head back in disappointment. He wanted to be there right till the end. This is dropped short by Zadran, on off. Aaron stays on the back foot and looks to slice it behind square with an open bat face. Hits it flat and straight to the sub fielder, Nazif Amiri at backward point, who takes the catch around his waist. George walks off for 115 (104) with the finishing line in sight for his team. The 96-run stand is broken. India are 300/3, needing 11 runs more.

Wahid Zadran to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.A bit of grip and turn, on the shorter side, on off. Vihaan presses back and tugs it to long on for a single. 300 comes up for India.

Wahid Zadran to Aaron George, 1 run.Floated up, full and on off, Aaron whips it along the ground to long on for a run.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Length delivery, on off, Malhotra strokes it to mid off.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.On a shortish length, across off, Vihaan stands up tall on his toes and fends it down.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 4 Leg byes.FOUR LEG BYES! Nooristani sprays the full ball, down leg, Vihaan fails to connect with the glance. The ball brushes the pads and beats the diving keeper to his right for four leg byes.

Nooristani to Aaron George, 1 run.Hits the deck hard, on off, Aaron knocks it off the back foot through covers for a single.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Short and wide on off, Malhotra rises with the bounce and slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Nooristani to Aaron George, 1 run.On a length, on off, Aaron leans on and punches it between cover and mid off for a quick single.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Lands it on a back of a length, on off, Vihaan guides it to backward point.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, 1 run.On a hard length, over off, Aaron gets his hands and drops it down with soft hands beside the strip on the off side for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Stunning shot! Aziz bowls it fuller than the previous ball, on off and middle. Aaron plays the lofted drive with a straight bat and clears mid off with ease for four more.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Put away with disdain! On a back of a length, on middle. This sits up to be hit and Aaron latches onto it. He pulls it hard and in front of square for a four.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Angled in at the pads, Vihaan makes use of the angle and nurdles it through mid-wicket for a run.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, Leg bye.Leg bye! On a length, on leg, George misses out on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, 1 run.Direct hit! On a length, on off, Aaron plays a punchy drive between cover and mid off. There is a direct hit at the batting end and the ball deflects towards deep third. The batters think about running the second but they eventually decide against it. The umpires want to be sure that Malhotra is in and they refer it upstairs. The replays find Malhotra to be home comfortably

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Just a push and it races away. That brings up the HUNDRED for Aaron George. After a barren run across the last three games coming into this one, Aaron has come to the party in a pressure game. The relieved look on his face says it all. On a length, on middle. George just checks his drive and plays it using his bottom hand between mid-wicket and mid on for a four to reach the landmark. Aaron takes the helmet off to celebrate this moment.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.On off, a length ball, Malhotra works it wide of mid off and gets to the other end.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 2 Leg byes.Two leg byes! Fuller and sliding onto the pads. Vihaan fails to lay any bat on the tickle. The ball clips the pads and goes to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Fuller and on off, Vihaan stabs it down on the off side.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, 1 run.On a good length, outside off, this is eased through covers for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.A bit fuller, on off, Vihaan pushes it to cover off the front foot.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.A bit of hesitation but no harm done! On a good length, on off, Malhotra plays it in front of cover. Aaron is keen for a single and is halfway down the track before being sent back. Luckiy for him, the fielder fumbles and that allows him to get back.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.In the channel, on a back of a length, Vihaan Malhotra angles it to point.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 2 runs.Another good effort in the field! On a back of a length, over middle. Malhotra swivels and pulls it behind square leg. The fielder in the deep moves to his left and sticks out his left hand. He prevents the ball from bouncing past him and saves a couple of runs for his side.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No ball!Oh, dear! A top-quality catch by Abdul Aziz but it all goes in vain. This is pitched up, on off, Malhotra pushes out in front of the body, looking to drive it down the ground. He is unable to keep the shot along the ground, and it goes at shin height towards the bowler. Abdul gets low on his follow-through and snaffles it. Vihaan is on his way back but he is asked to wait by the umpires. The third umpire is called into action to check for a no ball. In one of the two side on angles, Aaron George is in the way and the front foot of the bowler is not visible. The other angle is touch and go but the decision goes in favour of the batter. Malhotra survives. NO BALL given. Free Hit coming up.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.On a short of a length, in the channel. Malhotra extends his hands and pats it to cover.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.In and around the off pole, on a nagging length, tapped to cover by Vihaan.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 3 runs.Buzzers! Khatir serves it on a back of a length, on off. Vihaan pushes it in front of mid off and takes a quick single. There is a shy at the bowling end and the throw hits the stumps. It deflects away between mid-wicket and mid on, allowing the batters to take two more runs. The third umpire is summoned to check whether Vihaan was in and the replays confirm that he was well in.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, 1 run.Good effort! Khatir lands it on a short of a length, on middle. Aaron presents a high elbow and punches it with a straight bat down the ground. The mid on fielder dives to his left and saves at least a couple of runs for his side.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Angled into the pads, on a back of a length, Vihaan helps it from the crease to deep fine leg and crosses over.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, Wide!Wide! Sprayed down leg, on the fuller side. Vihaan fails to get it away. Mahboob Khan does well to move to his right and get a glove on it, preventing the ball from going past him.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Tucking the batter up for room, on a hard length, Malhotra stands tall and dabs it to point. George is keen for a single but is sent back by Vihaan in time.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, 1 run.On a back of a length, across off, Aaron cuts it to backward point, where the fielder dives to his right and makes a half-stop. Just a single.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Full and on middle, Vihaan strokes it wide of mid off for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, No run.Bangs in a bouncer, just outside off, Aaron George ducks under it.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Excellent shot! Pitched up and on middle. Aaron George presents the full face of the bat, drives it on the up back past the bowler and it races away to the boundary. He moves to 95 now.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, No run.Fuller and on off, Aaron George pushes it to short cover.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Class written all over it! Short of a length and around off. Aaron George takes a couple of steps forward, gets on top of the bounce and punches it sweetly through cover-point for a boundary.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, No run.Drags the length back, on top of off, Aaron rides the bounce and punches it to cover.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.From around the wicket, full and on off, Vihaan pushes out in front of his body and knocks it to the right of mid off for a quick single.

DRINKS! The result is almost a formality now unless the Afghans can pull out something special. India Under-19 have ticked most of the boxes, and with all the top order batters getting into runs, they will feel a lot better about themselves going into the big clash. For Afghanistan Under-19, it looks like another missed opportunity, but they will still want to fight till the end and make it as tough as possible for the Indians.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, No run.Keeps the stumps in play, on a length, George knocks it to mid off.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Tight single! Fuller and on off, Vihaan pats it in front of mid off and sets off for the run. Nooristani at mid off runs in and gets low, but a bad bounce results in him failing to pick the ball up in one go.

Khatir Stanikzai to Aaron George, 1 run.On a good length, across off, Aaron plays a punchy drive between cover and mid off and crosses over.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Gets the yorker in, on middle. Malhotra digs it out wide of cover for a single.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, Wide!Wide! Full and down leg, Vihaan fails to lay any bat on the tickle.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, Four!FOUR! Misfield in the deep! A wide yorker, outside off. Vihaan Malhotra opens the face of his bat and squeezes it out through backward point. The fielder from deep third runs to his left, dives and gets to the ball but lets it through for a boundary.

Khatir Stanikzai to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Fuller and on middle, Vihaan Malhotra knocks it towards mid off.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, Leg bye.Ouch! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off, Vihaan Malhotra goes through his pull shot early and misses. It deflects off his back towards short third and the batter gets a leg bye.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Fuller in length and on off, Vihaan Malhotra drives it away to mid off.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Good length and on middle, angling in, Vihaan Malhotra pats it back to the bowler.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, 1 run.On off, on a length, this is punched through covers for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Around off, on a short of a length. Vihaan gets on top of it and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Half a shout for caught behind! Aziz steams in from around the wicket, on a back of a length, targeting the top of off. Malhotra stays leg side of the ball and gets on his toes to deal with it. The ball goes past the outside edge and sneaks over the top of the off stump.

Nooristani to Aaron George, No run.Full and outside off, Aaron reaches out and angles it to backward point.

Nooristani to Aaron George, Six!SIX! Effortless! Nooristani pitches it up, on middle. George shows the full face of the bat and swings through the line. He does not try to overhit this one. Just holds his shape and lofts it over the long on fence for a six.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 2 Wides!Two wides! Down leg by Nooristani, on a short of a length. Vihaan misses out on the glance. The ball bursts through the gloves of the keeper, Mahboob Khan and goes behind, allowing the batters to cross for one.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Pushed across the left-hander, on a short of a good length. Malhotra stands tall to punch it away but the ball keeps low and he misses.

Nooristani to Aaron George, 1 run.Nooristani goes into the surface again, on off. George waits on the back foot and shovels it to deep square leg for another single.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.On a hard length, at the bodyline of the batter. Vihaan swivels in the crease and pulls it through square leg for one more.

Nooristani to Aaron George, 1 run.On a length, on middle, George presents a straight bat and plays it on the rise to long on for a single.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, 1 run.Length again, on off, Aaron George opens the face of his bat and steers it through point for one more.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.On a length and around off, Vihaan Malhotra pushes it through covers for one. He wants the second run but is sent back.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, 1 run.Full again and on the pads, Aaron George flicks it away to deep square leg for another run.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, No run.Goes fuller and on off, Aaron George knocks it towards mid off.

Abdul Aziz to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.A wide yorker, outside off, Vihaan Malhotra squeezes it out through point for a run.

Abdul Aziz to Aaron George, 1 run.Back of a length and on off, Aaron George dabs it down towards point for a single.

Abdul Aziz returns to the attack. 5-0-41-0 so far for the right-arm quick.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 2 runs.Risky running! Fuller and on leg, Vihaan Malhotra clips it away through square leg and calls for the second run. The fielder from the deep is quick to get to the ball, but his throw is well wide of the keeper. A better throw would have had Vihaan there, who was struggling and had to put in the dive.

Nooristani to Aaron George, 1 run.Length again, on middle, Aaron George pats it towards mid on for one.

Nooristani to Aaron George, No run.On a length and on off, Aaron George pushes it towards short cover.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Short of a length and on off, Vihaan Malhotra dabs it down towards point for a single.

Nooristani to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Nicely bowled! Back of a length and on off, nips away off the deck. Vihaan Malhotra gets squared up trying to play at that and it zips past the outside edge.

Nooristani to Aaron George, Leg bye.Fuller and down the leg side, Aaron George fails to flick it away and it goes off his pads wide of short fine. A leg bye taken.

Wahid Zadran to Vihaan Malhotra, No run.Slows it up, full and on middle and leg, Vihaan Malhotra turns it to the leg side.

Wahid Zadran to Aaron George, 1 run.Arm ball, short and on middle and leg, Aaron George forces it to long on for one.

Wahid Zadran to Aaron George, Four!FOUR! Top class from Aaron George! Flighted, full and on off, Aaron George gets a good stride out to take the front foot closer to the ball. He caresses it with a high elbow through covers for a boundary.

Wahid Zadran to Vihaan Malhotra, 1 run.Flatter, full and on leg, Vihaan Malhotra tucks it away towards mid-wicket for a run.