Harare, Zimbabwe – A fearless batting display from Afghanistan’s Under-19 side powered them to a commanding total of 310 for 4 in 50 overs, setting India a daunting 311-run target in the ind vs afg u19 semi final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Playing at the Harare Sports Club, Afghanistan showcased remarkable maturity under pressure as two of their batters struck centuries, placing India under serious scoreboard pressure in one of the most high-stakes matches of the tournament.
Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by a fluent 110 from Faizal Shinonzada and a composed, unbeaten 101 from Uzairullah Niazai, while India’s bowlers fought back late through Dipesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan, who claimed two wickets each.
With a place in the World Cup final at stake, the ind vs afg u19 semi final delivered high-quality cricket, momentum swings, and moments that underlined Afghanistan’s growing stature in world cricket.
INNINGS CHANGE! 🔁
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 4, 2026
Faisal Khan (110) and Uzairullah (101*) made magnificent hundreds as they pushed Afghanistan Future Stars' total to 310/4 runs at the end of the 1st inning of the ongoing semi-final against India U19s. 👏👏
Over to our bowling unit now…! 👍#FutureStars pic.twitter.com/3KLye4dmM4
Match Overview: IND vs AFG U19 Semi Final
| Match | ICC Under-19 World Cup – Semi Final |
|---|---|
| Fixture | India U19 vs Afghanistan U19 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe |
| Toss | Afghanistan won, chose to bat |
| Afghanistan Score | 310/4 (50 overs) |
| India Target | 311 runs |
| Match Start Time | 1:00 PM (Local Time) |
Afghanistan’s Decision to Bat Pays Off
After winning the toss, Afghanistan captain Mahboob Khan had no hesitation in choosing to bat first. The pitch appeared firm, offering consistent bounce and true carry, making it ideal for stroke-play.
Speaking at the toss, Mahboob explained that the team wanted to put runs on the board and apply pressure in a knockout match. That decision proved spot-on as Afghanistan’s batters dominated large phases of the innings.
India captain Ayush Mhatre, meanwhile, expressed confidence in his bowling attack and stuck with an unchanged playing XI, backing the combination that had delivered throughout the tournament.
Powerplay Stability Sets the Tone
Afghanistan’s openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai began with caution rather than aggression. Against a disciplined Indian new-ball attack, the duo focused on strike rotation and boundary opportunities only when the ball was in their arc.
Powerplay Summary (Overs 1–10)
| Overs | Score | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | 42/0 | 0 |
- Sadat: 15 runs
- Ahmadzai: 26 runs
- First six came in the 10th over
India bowled tight lines early, with Henil Patel particularly impressive, conceding just 1 run in his eighth over, showcasing excellent control and movement.
Early Injury Scare for India
There was a brief concern for India when Henil Patel suffered a minor injury while attempting to stop the ball in his follow-through. The ball struck him below the knee, drawing some blood. However, after brief medical attention, he continued without further issue.
The incident momentarily paused play but did little to disrupt Afghanistan’s rhythm.
Opening Stand Crosses Fifty
By the 12th over, Afghanistan’s openers brought up a fifty-run partnership, providing the platform their middle order would later exploit.
| Partnership | Runs | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Sadat & Ahmadzai | 50+ | 12 overs |
The pair rotated strike smartly and punished loose deliveries, ensuring no early breakthrough for India.
First Breakthrough for India
India finally struck in the 13th over when Dipesh Devendran removed Khalid Ahmadzai for 31, with wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu taking a clean catch.
The dismissal ended a solid opening stand but did little to slow Afghanistan’s scoring rate.
Afghanistan Reach 100 Without Panic
Despite losing their first wicket, Afghanistan maintained composure. Osman Sadat continued to anchor the innings, guiding the score past 100 in the 21st over.
At this stage, Afghanistan were well placed, with a strong foundation and plenty of wickets in hand.
Second Wicket and Tactical Bowling Change
India’s second breakthrough came when Kanishk Chauhan dismissed Osman Sadat for 39, breaking a 64-run partnership.
| Wicket | Batter | Score | Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Osman Sadat | 39 | Kanishk Chauhan |
The wicket brought Faizal Shinonzada and Uzairullah Niazai together—an alliance that would define the ind vs afg u19 semi final.
Faizal Shinonzada Announces Himself
Faizal Shinonzada wasted no time settling in. Known for his elegant stroke-play, he reached his half-century in just 49 balls, showing exceptional timing and placement.
By the 29th over, Afghanistan had crossed 150 runs, firmly on track for a big total.
Third-Wicket Partnership Changes the Game
Faizal and Niazai stitched together a crucial third-wicket partnership, steadily increasing the run rate without unnecessary risk.
| Partnership | Runs | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Faizal & Niazai | 50+ | 35 overs |
Their partnership ensured Afghanistan did not lose momentum during the middle overs—a phase where India had previously dominated other teams.
Faizal’s Brilliant Century
In the 43rd over, Faizal Shinonzada reached his century in just 86 balls, marking his second consecutive hundred in the tournament. He had earlier smashed 163 against Ireland, and once again proved his big-match temperament.
After reaching the milestone, Faizal celebrated with a Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration, drawing cheers from teammates and spectators alike.
Niazai Joins the Party
While Faizal attacked, Uzairullah Niazai played the perfect supporting role, rotating strike and punishing anything loose. He reached his half-century in the 44th over, smashing a six followed by three consecutive boundaries in one over bowled by R.S. Ambarish.
The assault pushed Afghanistan beyond 200 runs in the 41st over, setting sights on a massive finish.
Niazai’s Composed Unbeaten Century
In the final over, Niazai brought up his century on the fourth ball of the 50th over, finishing 101 not out. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, ensuring Afghanistan maximised the final overs without collapse.
India’s Late Bowling Fightback
Despite Afghanistan’s dominance, India found some late success. Dipesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan each picked up two wickets, preventing Afghanistan from crossing the 330 mark.
| Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Dipesh Devendran | 2 |
| Kanishk Chauhan | 2 |
A bizarre moment occurred in the 17th over when a delivery struck the wicketkeeper’s helmet and ran to the boundary, resulting in four byes plus five penalty runs, adding nine runs off a single ball.
Afghanistan Final Scorecard Summary
| Batter | Runs | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Faizal Shinonzada | 110 | Out |
| Uzairullah Niazai | 101 | Not Out |
| Osman Sadat | 39 | Out |
| Khalid Ahmadzai | 31 | Out |
| Others | 29 | — |
| Total | 310/4 | 50 overs |
Playing XIs
India U19
| Player |
|---|
| Ayush Mhatre (C) |
| Aaron George |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi |
| Vihan Malhotra |
| Abhigyan Kundu (WK) |
| Vedant Trivedi |
| R.S. Ambarish |
| Kanishk Chauhan |
| Khilan Patel |
| Henil Patel |
| Dipesh Devendran |
Afghanistan U19
| Player |
|---|
| Mahboob Khan (C & WK) |
| Osman Sadat |
| Khalid Ahmadzai |
| Faizal Shinonzada |
| Uzairullah Niazai |
| Azizullah Miakhil |
| Abdul Aziz |
| Khatir Stanikzai |
| Ruhullah Arab |
| Nooristani Omarzai |
| Waheedullah Zadran |
What Lies Ahead for India
Chasing 311 in a semi-final is never easy, especially against an Afghanistan side brimming with confidence. India will need a strong start, disciplined middle-order batting, and calm execution under pressure.
The ind vs afg u19 semi final now sets up a fascinating second innings, with Afghanistan sensing a historic upset and India relying on their pedigree in knockout matches.
Conclusion:
Afghanistan’s batting display was not just about runs—it was about belief, discipline, and fearless intent. Twin centuries in a World Cup semi-final underline how far the nation’s youth system has progressed.
As the match heads into its decisive phase, one thing is certain: the ind vs afg u19 semi final has already delivered drama, quality, and moments that will be remembered long after the tournament ends.
