Five-time champions India produced one of the finest run chases in Under-19 World Cup history as opener Aaron George’s heroic hundred powered them to a record 311-run chase against Afghanistan in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, setting up a title clash against England Under-19 cricket team.
Facing the highest target ever successfully chased in the tournament, India were given early momentum by George and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who put on 90 runs for the opening wicket. Vaibhav once again highlighted his growing reputation with a fearless 33-ball 68, an innings that ensured India stayed well ahead of the asking rate through the powerplay.
IND vs AFG, Under-19 World Cup: Highlights | Scorecard
Afghanistan were made to pay for early lapses in the field. Niazai dropped Sooryavanshi at backward point when he was on 22, a mistake that proved costly as the youngster raced to his fifty in just 24 balls. George was also handed a reprieve when Zadran put down a simple catch at mid-on with the opener on 20. India capitalised fully, surging to 91/1 in the first powerplay.
Sooryavanshi’s dismissal was the only early setback, as he once again fell to the short ball, holing out to mid-wicket for a blistering 68 off 33 balls. George, however, held firm and found a reliable partner in captain Ayush Mhatre. The duo stitched together a decisive 104-run stand for the second wicket, never allowing the Afghan bowlers to settle. Mhatre played a captain’s knock of 62, blending authority with composure before miscuing a flick to deep mid-wicket in the 27th over.
Even as wickets fell at the other end, George continued to anchor the chase, pacing his innings to perfection. He added further stability alongside Malhotra and brought up a magnificent century off 95 balls, eventually departing for 115 with victory firmly in sight.
India’s dominance was reflected in the way they neutralised the Afghan bowling attack, finding boundaries at will. Afghanistan’s cause was further hurt by misfields, dropped catches and missed run-out chances, as their campaign ended in heartbreak.
Earlier, Afghanistan had put India under severe pressure with a dominant batting display to post 310 for four. Faisal Shinozada top-scored with a well-crafted 110 off 93 balls, while Uzairullah Niazai struck an unbeaten 101 off 86 deliveries, as India’s bowlers found it difficult to break partnerships.
Opting to bat, Afghanistan made a steady start through openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai, who added 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 took a faint inside edge and carried through to wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu.
Faisal then took charge, adding 64 runs for the second wicket with Sadat to keep Afghanistan on course for a big total. India briefly pulled things back 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 stroke. Sadat scored 39, though he consumed 70 balls during his stay.
Any hopes of restricting Afghanistan were dashed as Faisal and Niazai combined for a substantial third-wicket partnership. Faisal struck 15 fours in his innings, while Niazai found the boundary 12 times and cleared the ropes twice, ensuring Afghanistan crossed the 300-run mark.
– Ends
