U19 World Cup: India chase 311 to set up title clash vs England

Dubai: Aaron George produced a sparkling century as five-time champions India pulled off a record run chase to storm into the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second semi-final at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting target of 311, India rode on George’s superb 115 off 104 balls, studded with 15 fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 110.58. The chase was further powered by explosive half-centuries from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (68 off 33 balls) and skipper Ayush Mhatre (62 off 39), as India completed the task in just 41.1 overs to book a summit clash against England at the same venue on February 6.

India reached their 10th Under-19 World Cup final — and a remarkable sixth in succession — with seven wickets in hand. George, who had endured a quiet tournament until this match, rose to the occasion with a 90-run opening stand alongside Sooryavanshi, followed by partnerships of 114 runs for the second wicket with Mhatre and 96 for the third with Vihaan Malhotra, who remained unbeaten on 38 off 47 balls.

Earlier, Afghanistan posted a formidable 310/4 in their 50 overs, built around magnificent centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. After a steady start that saw them reach 42 without loss after 10 overs, Afghanistan lost opener Khalid Ahmadzai for 31 when Deepesh Devendran broke the opening stand in the 12th over.

Osman Sadat and Shinozada then stabilised the innings before Kanishk Chouhan removed Sadat for 39 in the 25th over. Shinozada went on to bring up his fifty off 49 balls and, along with Niazai, accelerated sharply in the middle and death overs. The pair stitched together a mammoth 148-run partnership off 130 deliveries, putting India under serious pressure.

Shinozada smashed his second consecutive century of the tournament off 86 balls. He also became the first Afghanistan batter to score a U19 World Cup hundred against India. His innings ended on 110 off 93 balls when Devendran finally broke the stand in the 46th over.

Niazai continued the onslaught, completing a well-crafted century off 85 balls to finish unbeaten on 101 from 86 deliveries, as Afghanistan crossed the 300-run mark. For India, Deepesh Devendran (2/64) and Kanishk Chouhan (2/55) were the pick of the bowlers.

Despite Afghanistan’s imposing total, India’s fearless batting display ensured a historic chase and set up a final showdown with England on February 6.