History was made in Harare as India’s young guns rewrote the Under-19 World Cup record books. Defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in semi-final two, Team India successfully pursued 311 – the highest chase ever in the tournament’s playoffs – to book their spot in the final against England.
Wednesday’s clash saw Afghanistan bat first, reaching 310/4. After slumping to 117/2 with openers Khalid Ahmadzai (31) and Usman Sadat dismissed, Uzairullah Niyazi (101*) and Faisal Shinwari (110) forged a match-defining 148-run stand off 130 balls. Shinwari’s knock included 15 fours, while Niyazi hit 12 boundaries and two maximums. Deepesh Devendran and Kanisk Chauhan starred with 2/xx each for India.
India’s response was clinical. Aaron George’s century (115 off 104, 15×4, 2×6) formed the backbone, supported by Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s blistering 68 (33 balls) and captain Ayush Mhatre’s 62. Victory arrived at 41.1 overs, eclipsing New Zealand’s 305 chase from 2006. South Africa (294 vs Bangladesh, 2022) and West Indies (292 vs Sri Lanka, 2010) follow in the record list.
The combined 621 runs mark the second-highest playoff total. India, chasing a 10th title shot, meets England on February 6. This triumph underscores the depth of Indian talent ready to dominate global cricket.