Five-time champions India staged one of the best chases in U-19 World Cup history as Aaron George’s opening heroics propelled them to a record 311-run chase against Afghanistan in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup, setting up a title showdown against the England U-19 cricket team.
Faced with the highest target ever successfully chased in the tournament, India were given the early impetus by George and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who put on 90 runs for the opening wicket. Vaibhav again emphasized his growing reputation and a fearless 33-ball 68an innings that ensured India stayed well ahead of the required rate through the powerplay.
IND vs AFG, U19 World Cup: Highlights | Scorecard
Afghanistan had to pay for early lapses in the field. Niazai dropped Sooryavanshi in the 22nd over, a mistake that proved costly as the youngster raced to his fifty in just 24 balls. George also got a reprieve when Zadran took a simple catch in the opening over for 20 in the middle of the match. India took full advantage and rose to 91/1 in the first over.
Sooryavanshi’s dismissal was the only early setback as he again fell to the short ball and blasted to mid-wicket for a whopping 68 off 33 balls. However, George held firm and found a reliable partner in captain Ayush Mhatre. The pair stitched together a crucial 104-run stand for the second wicket, never allowing the Afghan bowlers to match. Mhatre played a captain’s knock of 62, mixing authority with composure, before flicking to deep mid-wicket in the 27th over.
Even with wickets falling at the other end, George continued to anchor the chase, pacing his innings to perfection. Alongside Malhotra, he added more stability and produced a magnificent 95-ball century, eventually going for 115 with victory firmly in sight.
India’s dominance was reflected in the way they neutralized the Afghan bowling attack and found boundaries at will. Erroneous fielding, dropped catches and missed chances further hurt Afghanistan’s cause as their campaign ended in heartbreak.
Earlier, Afghanistan had put India under heavy pressure with a dominant batting showing of 310 for four. Faisal Shinozada top-scored with a well-crafted 110 off 93 balls while Uzairullah Niazai hit an unbeaten 101 off 86 deliveries as the Indian bowlers struggled to break the partnership.
Opting to bat, Afghanistan got off to a steady start with openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai adding 53 runs before pacer Deepesh Devendran provided the breakthrough in the 13th over. Ahmadzai, who made 31 off 39 balls, was undone by a length delivery that had a weak inside edge and went all the way to keeper Abhigyan Kundu.
Faisal then took the lead and added 64 runs for the second wicket with Sadat to keep Afghanistan on course for a big total. India pulled things back briefly when spin-bowling all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan struck at the start of the 25th over, dismissing Sadat, who was caught at long-off after a mistimed strike. Sadat scored 39 despite consuming 70 balls during his stay.
Any hopes of restricting Afghanistan were dashed when Faisal and Niazai combined to form a substantial third-wicket partnership. Faisal hit 15 fours in his innings while Niazai found the boundary 12 times and crossed the ropes twice to ensure Afghanistan crossed the 300-run mark.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 4, 2026
