3 min learnUp to date: Feb 5, 2026 12:14 AM IST
No group had ever chased a goal as excessive as 311 on the ICC Males’s U19 World Cup earlier than, however on Wednesday in Harare, India made it seem like a stroll within the park. An impressive hundred from Aaron George and a blistering opening salvo from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi noticed India pull off a file chase and beat Afghanistan by seven wickets within the second semi-final.
Faisal Khan and Uzairullah Niazai had every reached three figures for Afghanistan as they made 310 for 4 from their 50 overs. Within the run chase, George was the star of the present, scoring a sensational 115. Though he couldn’t fairly see India residence, the job was successfully finished as they sealed a date with England in Friday’s ultimate with 8.5 overs to spare.
After successful the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat, with Khalid Ahmadzai (31) and Osman Sadat (39) beginning strongly as they placed on 53 for the primary wicket. Osman kicked on after being joined by Faisal, with the pair including an extra 64.
The latter, who already has two fifties and 100 to his title within the event, was in beautiful type, and he and Uzairullah Niazai timed their innings to perfection. Faisal hit 15 boundaries in his 110, and he and Uzairullah mixed for a 148-run stand.
Even earlier than Deepesh Devendran eliminated Faisal, Uzairullah had began to up the ante, going after the Indian bowling. And he ramped it up and matched his batting accomplice in making it to a few figures, solely the second time within the event’s historical past that two batters had hit centuries in the identical innings of a knockout conflict. With Uzairullah ending unbeaten on 101, Afghanistan piled up 310/4.
India’s chase wanted a quick begin and in Sooryavanshi, that they had simply the person to ship them on their method. The 14-year-old confirmed hammered 4 sixes in his 33 balls on the crease on his solution to a blistering 68. He was given one life, when put down on 22, whereas George was on 20 when Wahid Zadran spilled an opportunity he had supplied up.
Sooryavanshi introduced up his half-century in 25 deliveries and had introduced the required fee right down to a manageable stage when he top-edged one to midwicket off Nooristani Omarzai.
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By that time, India had 90 on the board inside 10 overs, and the arrival of Ayush Mhatre did nothing to sluggish the chase. The skipper acquired off the mark with a six and took full benefit of excellent batting situations as he and George placed on 114 for the second wicket.
Mhatre (62) fell to Nooristani (2/64) with 107 nonetheless required however Vihaan Malhotra rapidly settled in alongside George. He acquired one life when he appeared to have been caught and bowled by Abdul Aziz, solely to earn a reprieve due to a no-ball. George lastly departed for 115 off 104 deliveries with 300 on the board, however Malhotra rapidly wrapped issues up on his solution to 38 not out.
Temporary scores: Afghanistan 310/4 in 50 overs (Faisal Khan 110, Uzairullah Niazai 101 not out; Kanishk Chouhan 2/55, Deepesh Devendran 2/64) misplaced to India 311/3 in 41.1 overs (Aaron George 115, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 68, Ayush Mhatre 62; Nooristani Omarzai 2/64, Wahid Zadran 1/67) by 7 wickets