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The India National Under-19 Cricket Team and Afghanistan National Under-19 Cricket Team met in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 on February 4, 2026, at Harare Sports Club in Harare. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, posting an impressive 310/4 in 50 overs. India then produced a record-breaking chase, reaching 311/3 in only 41.1 overs to win by seven wickets and book their place in the final.
Aaron George was the standout performer for India, scoring a magnificent 115 runs from 104 balls. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added a rapid 68 from 33 balls, while captain Ayush Mhatre contributed 62. For Afghanistan, Faisal Shinozada scored 110 and Uzairullah Niazai remained unbeaten on 101.
This match scorecard captures the major batting performances, bowling figures, partnerships, fall of wickets, match statistics and important moments from the India Under-19 vs Afghanistan Under-19 semi-final.
India U19 vs Afghanistan U19 Match Overview
The second semi-final of the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup was played at Harare Sports Club on February 4, 2026. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat, aiming to put scoreboard pressure on India.
Afghanistan made an excellent start and eventually finished on 310/4 from their 50 overs. Faisal Shinozada scored 110 from 93 deliveries, while Uzairullah Niazai remained unbeaten on 101 from 86 balls.
India faced a target of 311, but their response was exceptional. The Indian top order attacked from the beginning and reached 311/3 in just 41.1 overs.
Aaron George scored 115 from 104 balls and was named Player of the Match. His century formed the foundation of India’s successful chase.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India U19 vs Afghanistan U19 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 |
| Stage | 2nd Semi-Final |
| Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Toss | Afghanistan U19 won and batted first |
| Afghanistan Score | 310/4 in 50 overs |
| India Score | 311/3 in 41.1 overs |
| Result | India U19 won by 7 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Aaron George |
| Target | 311 |
Afghanistan U19 First Innings Scorecard
Afghanistan’s batting innings began positively, with Khalid Ahmadzai and Osman Sadat establishing a strong opening partnership. The opening pair added 53 runs before Ahmadzai was dismissed for 31.
Osman Sadat continued with Faisal Shinozada, and the second-wicket partnership helped Afghanistan build momentum. Sadat eventually departed for 39.
The biggest partnership of the innings came between Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. The pair added 148 runs for the third wicket and transformed Afghanistan’s innings into a commanding total.
Faisal reached his century before being dismissed for 110, while Niazai continued until the end and finished unbeaten on 101.
| Afghanistan U19 Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osman Sadat | 39 | 70 | 3 | 0 | 55.71 |
| Khalid Ahmadzai | 31 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 79.49 |
| Faisal Shinozada | 110 | 93 | 15 | 0 | 118.28 |
| Uzairullah Niazai | 101* | 86 | 12 | 2 | 117.44 |
| Azizullah Miakhil | 12 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Abdul Aziz | 7* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 233.33 |
| Extras | 10 | ||||
| Total | 310/4 | 50 overs | 6.20 RR |
Afghanistan U19 Batting Performance
Faisal Shinozada was Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer and played the anchor role during the middle overs. His 110 included 15 fours and came at a strike rate of more than 118.
Uzairullah Niazai provided the acceleration in the latter stages. His unbeaten 101 included 12 fours and two sixes. Together, Shinozada and Niazai produced a 148-run partnership that gave Afghanistan a strong platform.
The innings became particularly productive during the final 10 overs, allowing Afghanistan to cross the 300-run mark.
India U19 Bowling Scorecard
India used six bowlers during Afghanistan’s innings. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan were the successful bowlers, taking two wickets each.
Devendran finished with 2/64 from his 10 overs, while Chouhan claimed 2/55 from nine overs. Khilan Patel was India’s most economical bowler among those who completed a full spell, conceding 49 runs from 10 overs.
| India U19 Bowler | O | M | R | W | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS Ambrish | 9 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 7.22 |
| Henil Patel | 10 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 5.60 |
| Deepesh Devendran | 10 | 0 | 64 | 2 | 6.40 |
| Khilan Patel | 10 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 4.90 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | 9 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 6.11 |
| Ayush Mhatre | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 |
Afghanistan U19 Fall of Wickets
Afghanistan lost four wickets during their 50-over innings. The early dismissal of Khalid Ahmadzai ended the opening partnership, while Osman Sadat’s wicket came after Afghanistan had reached 117.
Faisal Shinozada was dismissed at 265, but Afghanistan still had enough batting depth to finish strongly. Azizullah Miakhil was the final wicket to fall at 293.
| Wicket | Batter | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khalid Ahmadzai | 53 | 12.2 |
| 2 | Osman Sadat | 117 | 24.1 |
| 3 | Faisal Shinozada | 265 | 45.5 |
| 4 | Azizullah Miakhil | 293 | 48.3 |
India U19 Second Innings Scorecard
India began the chase aggressively. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi immediately put pressure on the Afghan bowlers, while Aaron George provided stability at the other end.
Sooryavanshi scored 68 from only 33 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes. His innings gave India a rapid start and significantly reduced the required run rate.
After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, captain Ayush Mhatre joined Aaron George. The pair added 114 runs for the second wicket and ensured that India’s chase remained firmly under control.
George eventually departed for 115 with India just 11 runs away from victory. Vihaan Malhotra and Vedant Trivedi completed the chase in the 42nd over.
| India U19 Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron George | 115 | 104 | 15 | 2 | 110.58 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 68 | 33 | 9 | 4 | 206.06 |
| Ayush Mhatre | 62 | 59 | 5 | 4 | 105.08 |
| Vihaan Malhotra | 38* | 47 | 3 | 0 | 80.85 |
| Vedant Trivedi | 5* | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Extras | 23 | ||||
| Total | 311/3 | 41.1 overs | 7.55 RR |
India U19 Batting Performance
Aaron George produced the defining innings of the match. His 115 came from 104 deliveries and included 15 boundaries and two sixes.
His innings was especially important because India were chasing 311, a target that required a sustained scoring rate. George combined controlled stroke play with calculated aggression and remained at the crease through most of the chase.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 68 from 33 balls was another major factor. His strike rate of more than 206 gave India an early advantage.
Ayush Mhatre also played an important supporting role, scoring 62 from 59 balls. His 114-run partnership with George effectively removed much of the pressure from the chase.
Afghanistan U19 Bowling Scorecard
Afghanistan used six bowlers during India’s successful chase. Nooristani Omarzai was the only bowler to take multiple wickets, finishing with 2/61 from 10 overs.
Wahidullah Zadran took the other Indian wicket, dismissing Aaron George after the opener had scored 115.
Despite taking three wickets, Afghanistan struggled to contain India’s scoring rate, particularly during the powerplay and middle overs.
| Afghanistan U19 Bowler | O | M | R | W | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Aziz | 10 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Wahidullah Zadran | 7.1 | 0 | 61 | 1 | 8.59 |
| Nooristani Omarzai | 10 | 0 | 61 | 2 | 6.10 |
| Khatir Stanikzai | 9 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 5.11 |
| Roohullah Arab | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Uzairullah Niazai | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8.00 |
India U19 Fall of Wickets
India lost only three wickets while chasing 311. The first wicket fell when Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 68, but India had already reached 90 by that stage.
Mhatre was dismissed for 62 at 204, leaving India needing another 107 runs. George then departed at 300, but the match was effectively under India’s control.
| Wicket | Batter | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 90 | 9.3 |
| 2 | Ayush Mhatre | 204 | 26.2 |
| 3 | Aaron George | 300 | 39.3 |
Key Performers of the Match
The match featured several outstanding individual performances from both teams.
Aaron George was the central figure for India, scoring 115 and earning Player of the Match honours. His century was particularly significant because it came in a knockout match while chasing a 300-plus target.
For Afghanistan, Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai were the leading contributors. Their centuries helped Afghanistan reach 310/4.
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron George | India U19 | 115 off 104 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | India U19 | 68 off 33 |
| Ayush Mhatre | India U19 | 62 off 59 |
| Vihaan Malhotra | India U19 | 38* off 47 |
| Faisal Shinozada | Afghanistan U19 | 110 off 93 |
| Uzairullah Niazai | Afghanistan U19 | 101* off 86 |
| Deepesh Devendran | India U19 | 2/64 |
| Kanishk Chouhan | India U19 | 2/55 |
| Nooristani Omarzai | Afghanistan U19 | 2/61 |
Important Partnerships
Partnerships played a major role in both innings.
Afghanistan’s most important stand was the 148-run partnership between Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. It changed the shape of Afghanistan’s innings and took the team towards a 300-plus score.
India responded with three major partnerships. George and Sooryavanshi added 90 for the opening wicket, George and Mhatre contributed 114 for the second wicket, and George and Vihaan Malhotra added 96 for the third wicket.
| Partnership | Runs | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Osman Sadat – Khalid Ahmadzai | 53 | Afghanistan |
| Osman Sadat – Faisal Shinozada | 64 | Afghanistan |
| Faisal Shinozada – Uzairullah Niazai | 148 | Afghanistan |
| Aaron George – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 90 | India |
| Aaron George – Ayush Mhatre | 114 | India |
| Aaron George – Vihaan Malhotra | 96 | India |
| Vihaan Malhotra – Vedant Trivedi | 11 | India |
Match Turning Points
Sooryavanshi’s explosive start: India needed a fast beginning while chasing 311, and Sooryavanshi provided exactly that. His 68 from 33 balls helped India score 91 runs during the first 10 overs.
George’s century: Aaron George’s 115 ensured that India’s chase remained controlled even after the early attacking phase. His partnership with Mhatre was crucial in taking India past the halfway point of the chase.
Afghanistan’s 148-run partnership: The partnership between Shinozada and Niazai was Afghanistan’s biggest positive. It transformed a competitive innings into a total above 300.
India’s chase rate: Afghanistan had scored 310, but India reached the target in only 41.1 overs. The rapid chase left Afghanistan with little opportunity to build pressure through wickets.
India vs Afghanistan U19 Match Statistics
The scorecard highlights the contrast between the two innings. Afghanistan scored 310 at a run rate of 6.20, while India chased the target at 7.55 runs per over.
India needed 311 runs and completed the chase with 53 deliveries remaining.
| Statistic | Afghanistan U19 | India U19 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 310/4 | 311/3 |
| Overs | 50 | 41.1 |
| Run Rate | 6.20 | 7.55 |
| Wickets Lost | 4 | 3 |
| Highest Score | Faisal Shinozada – 110 | Aaron George – 115 |
| Centuries | 2 | 1 |
| Half-centuries | 0 additional | 2 additional |
| Result | Lost | Won |
The match was also notable for the scale of India’s successful chase. India became the first team to successfully chase more than 300 in the history of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup, according to the match coverage.
Result and Player of the Match
India Under-19 defeated Afghanistan Under-19 by seven wickets after successfully chasing 311 in 41.1 overs.
Afghanistan’s 310/4 was built around two centuries, but India’s batting response was even more decisive. Aaron George scored 115, while Sooryavanshi and Mhatre added rapid half-centuries.
The Player of the Match award went to Aaron George for his match-winning 115-run innings.
The victory sent India into the 2026 Under-19 World Cup final, where they subsequently faced England.
Conclusion
The India National Under-19 Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Under-19 Cricket Team match scorecard from the 2026 Under-19 World Cup semi-final records one of the most memorable knockout chases in the tournament.
Afghanistan’s 310/4 was an imposing total, powered by centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. However, India’s top order responded with remarkable authority.
Aaron George’s 115, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 68 and Ayush Mhatre’s 62 allowed India to reach 311/3 in just 41.1 overs. The seven-wicket victory demonstrated the depth and attacking ability of India’s Under-19 batting lineup.
For Afghanistan, the innings provided several individual highlights, particularly the centuries and the 148-run partnership between Shinozada and Niazai. However, India’s aggressive chase ultimately decided the semi-final.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the India U19 vs Afghanistan U19 semi-final in 2026?
India Under-19 won the match by seven wickets after chasing Afghanistan’s total of 310/4 in 41.1 overs.
2. What was Afghanistan U19’s score against India U19?
Afghanistan Under-19 scored 310/4 in 50 overs. Faisal Shinozada scored 110 and Uzairullah Niazai remained unbeaten on 101.
3. What was India’s score against Afghanistan U19?
India Under-19 scored 311/3 in 41.1 overs while chasing 311. Aaron George top-scored with 115.
4. Who was Player of the Match in India vs Afghanistan U19?
Aaron George was named Player of the Match after scoring 115 runs from 104 balls.
5. Where was the India U19 vs Afghanistan U19 semi-final played?
The match was played at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, on February 4, 2026.
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