India Chase 311 with Authority
India U19 put on a commanding display against Afghanistan U19 in the U19 World Cup semifinal. They chased 311 in just 42 overs with seven wickets in hand. The top order contributed well, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi scoring 68 and Ayush Mhatre 62. However, it was Aaron George’s masterful 115 that anchored the innings. As a result, India maintained composure and booked their spot in the final.
Afghanistan posted 310/4, powered by centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. Their middle-order dominance, especially in the death overs, gave India a stern challenge. Meanwhile, India handled the chase with precision, winning comfortably. The Afghan bowlers could not break key partnerships when it mattered most.
Afghanistan’s Strong Show
Afghanistan captain Mahboob Khan won the toss and chose to bat first. Despite losing only four wickets, Afghanistan showed batting depth and resilience. Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai’s centuries were crucial for setting a competitive total. However, their bowling attack struggled to contain India’s top-order, allowing India to take control.
The performance highlights Afghanistan U19’s potential. Nevertheless, India’s experience, strategic batting, and calm under pressure proved decisive in the semifinal.
India’s Road to the Final
India’s journey to the semifinal has been flawless. They topped the group stage by beating USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. In the Super Six, they defeated Zimbabwe and Pakistan. This unbeaten streak shows their preparation and strength in both batting and bowling. India now reaches the final for the sixth consecutive U19 World Cup, continuing their historic consistency.
Looking Ahead: Final Showdown
In the final, India will face England U19. With Aaron George in top form and contributions across the lineup, India will aim to continue their dominant streak. Afghanistan will hope to build on their performance in future tournaments. Despite the loss, they showed skill and resilience throughout the semifinal.
IND Playing XI: Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
AFG Playing XI: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (c&wk), Azizullah Miakhil, Abdul Aziz, Khatir Stanikzai, Roohullah Arab, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran.
