India vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score: Afghanistan are batting first and have built patientlyIndia vs Afghanistan Under 19 World Cup Semifinal: Aaron George’s ton and half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre helped India reach the final after defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the 2026 ICC U19 World Cup semifinal in Harare on Wednesday. Chasing a challenging target of 311, India secured their place in a record 10th Youth World Cup final and sixth in succession.
India will face England in their bid for a record-extending sixth title.
Earlier, centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai took Afghanistan to a score of 310/4 in 50 overs but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s early carnage has made the steep chase a cruise for India. Sooryavanshi blasted 68 runs in 33 balls in a 90-run opening stand with Aaron George that came in just 57 balls. After his dismissal, captain Ayush Mhatre and George kept the scoreboard ticking quite efficiently.
Niazai and Shinozada helped Afghanistan take about 111 runs in the last 10 overs, before which they ensured that Afghanistan lost just two wickets in 40 overs. Afghanistan were as patient as a batting side can be in an ODI match as they won the toss and chose to bat first. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan were India’s only wicket-takers in the first 40 overs.
India: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre(c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu(w), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
Afghanistan: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan(w/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Abdul Aziz, Khatir Stanikzai, Roohullah Arab, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran
FOLLOW ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS BETWEEN INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN BELOW
That's it. India have beaten Afghanistan by 7 wickets, and they are through to their 10th U19 World Cup final. A comprehensive win for the India Colts as they completed a record-high run chase in the U19 World Cups. They will face England in the summit clash for a record-extending 6th title.
India: 311/3 in 41.1 overs, beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets
Only formalities are left in this change now. No rush from the batters in the middle either. They are happy to take their time and take India home. 300 up for India in 39.2 overs. OUT! Aaron George falls. He square drives it straight to the backward point. He is disapoointed but his knock ensured India stayed byouant.
Aaron George c (sub)Nazifullah Amiri b Wahidullah Zadran 115(104)
India: 303/3 in 40 overs, need 8 runs from 60 balls
TON! Century for Aaron George, and what a timely knock from him! A boundary gets him to his maiden century in the U19 World Cup. He removes his helmet, raises his bat for a quaint celebration. He is content, he looks happy, and the Indian dressing room seems as relaxed as it can get.
India: 280/2 in 37 overs, need 31 runs from 78 balls
Aaron George played an exquisite lofted straight drive, which helped him move to 95. He is smelling a ton here.
India: 268/2 in 35 overs; need 43 from 90 balls
Aaron George has played a great hand here. He is moving closer to what will be a well-crafted ton in a big chase. India need just 68 in 18 overs.
India: 243/2 in 32 overs; need 68 from 108 balls
Vihaan Malhotra is off and running in no time. Aaron George also hasn't stopped playing his shots. India are looking menacing here and are quite the favourite to make it to their yet another U19 World Cup final.
India: 229/2 in 30 overs; need 82 from 120 balls
WICKET! Ayush Mhatre falls. What a spectacular running catch from Osman. He runs backwards to complete a stunning catch, removing the India skipper on 62. Wicket against the run of play for Afghanistan, a much-needed breakthrough indeed for them. Is this the start of something different? Nooristani Omarzai is the bowler. Vihaan Malhotra is the new batter in at No. 4.
Ayush Mhatre c Osman Sadat b Nooristani Omarzai 62(59)
India: 204/2 in 26.2 overs, need 107 runs from 142 balls
200 up for India inside 25 overs. This has been a terrific batting effort from the Indian side spearheaded by Suryavanshi's opening blast. From then on, captain Ayush Mhatre and opener Aaron George haven't let the tempo go down and scored at a healthy rate. India now need just a little over 100 in the next 25 overs.
India: 201/1 in 25 overs, need 110 runs from 150 balls
A couple of overs later, skipper Ayush Mhatre reaches his milestone. A much-needed fifty for Mhatre, who was out of form for the majority part of this World Cup but stepped up at the very right time for India.
India: 189/1 in 23 overs, need 122 runs from 162 balls
A confident innings from stylish opening batter Aaron George. He gets to his half-century in 52 deliveries with a FOUR. India are motoring along nicely here.
India: 172/1 in 21 overs, need 139 from 174 balls
George has moved into the 40s, India absolutely cruising at the moment. Mhatre slog swept the third ball of the 18th over by Roohullah Arab to deep midwicket for a four. He tickled the next ball off his pads for two and then clipped the fifth behind square for another four.
India 147/1 in 18 overs, need 164 to win from 192 balls
India enjoying the cushion provided by Sooryavanshi at the moment. Ayush Mhatre has got his eyes in with a couple of sixes and a four but not too many runs apart from that in the three overs since Sooryavanshi's dismissal. Mhatre is on 16 off 14, George on 24 off 31.
Short ball, pull and gone! Nooristani Omarzai takes the big wicket. This was banged in short on middle stump. Sooryavanshi never gets into the right position for the shot. Midwicket takes the catch.
Sooryavanshi c Osman Sadat b Nooristani Omarzai 68 (33)
India 90/1 in 9.3 overs
Sooryavanshi smashes two more fours off Abdul Aziz in the ninth over and he has moved to 62 off 30 balls. He has played these kinds of innings before in this tournament. Will he be able to convert this to three figures? It has to be said, though, that His innings has probably done huge damage already to Afghanistan's chances. India's required rate is just 5.53 and they are going at 9.33.
India 84/0 in 9 overs, need 227 to win from 246 balls
First ball of the seventh over by Abdul Aziz is short and wide, Sooryavanshi smashes it away through point for four. Short one next, Sooryavanshi pulls it through midwicket for another four. He misses the pull entirely next ball, almost sweeps himself off his feet there. Then he deftly upper cuts the fourth ball over the wicketkeeper for four. Back of a length delivery to finish the over, Sooryavanshi pulls it miles over deep midwicket for six and there is the half century.
Sooryavanshi on 52 off 24, George on 20 off 18.
India 73/0, need 238 to win from 258.
Wow this is some barrage. Sooryavanshi pulls the first ball from Zadran in the sixth. It goes off a top edge, long on is in play but he can't get there. The ball rolls to the boundary for four. The next ball is in the slot and Sooryavanshi blasts that over long on, and out of the stadium for cryin' out loud! Single next ball and then George finishes the over with back to back fours.
George is on 20 off 18, Sooryavanshi 34 off 18 balls.
India 55/0 in 6 overs
How expensive is this going to be. Right after that bumper over, Sooryavanshi starts the next by punching straight to Abdul Aziz aerially, it went right into the chest of Niazai, who is one of Afghanistan's most dependable fielders. It came at chest height for him but he spilled it. The batter ran a single there and then George finished that over by beautifully lifting the last ball over covers for four.
India 36/0 in 5 overs
Zadran's second ball in the third over is fired quick outside off, Sooryavanshi is all class as he pushes it between covers for four. Then he skips down the track and absolutely pulverises the next ball back over the bowlers head for another four. Sooryavanshi flicks the fourth ball to midwicket and the next one is sent sailing over the fielder at long off for six. Single next ball, Sooryavanshi keeps strike.
He is on 22 off 14, George on eight off 10.
India 31/0 in 4 overs
Well an almost identical start for India as it was for Afghanistan in their innings earlier today. Abdul Aziz started with a half-volley on George's pads, the batter clips it away neatly for a first-ball four. Sooryavanshi then got himself going in the next over, smashing the third ball by Wahidullah Zadran through covers for four.
The highest total ever chased in an U19 World Cup knockout match was 245 by India against South Africa in the semi-final of the 2024 edition. Now here comes Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Abdul Aziz has the ball in his hands. Afghanistan's strength in this tournament has been their bowling attack. Today, they have a record total to defend. India desperately need their top order to do what Afghanistan's did, play the long game.
Not encouraging signs for the Indians towards the end of that innings. There were misfields galore and it has allowed Afghanistan to 310. The last time India chased a 300-plus score was back in 2002.
Well, Niazai somehow squeezes two runs each off the first two fours. He is helped by some slopiness from the Indian fielders and that is on display more than ever when he runs a third two off the fourth ball. Niazai played a half-hearted pull and set off with everything he had. He ran back but he was never going to make it in time. The throw comes to the strikers end, Kundu collects and.... HE MISSES THE STUMPS! Kundu just had to flick the bails off but he missed that! Niazai flies and slides in, looks completely winded from the effort and then gets up, takes off his helmet and raises his hands looking at his dressing room. Then he makes a moustache sign. A century in 85 balls, and this could be the one that pushes Afghanistan over the line. Incredible scenes.
Oh brilliant over there from Kanishk Chouhan and it could prove to be the difference between victory and defeat for India. He dismisses Azizullah Miakhil third ball, two singles either side of it and then Abdul Aziz hits a four through cover last ball.
Now then, Niazai on 92 off 81 as he takes strike for the first ball of the last over, Henil Patel is the bowler.
Afghanistan 299/4 in 49 overs
That's that for Faisal Shinozada. Deepesh Devendran the wickettaker, he cleaps up Faisal with the fifth ball of the 46th over but the damage has been done. Faisal walks off after yet another sensational innings.
Faisal Shinozada b Deepesh 110 (93)
Afghanistan 265/3 in 45.5 overs
Well Ambrish has been taken to the cleaners here. His second ball in the 44th over is full and overpitched in the slot, Niazai shuffles across, loses his footing and still manages to send the ball sailing over cover for a six. Ambrish follows up with a bouncer in line with the stumps, should've been just a couple but a collission between fielders in the deep gives Niazai four runs! Sooryavanshi and Malhotra are the two fielders, with the latter's foot going into the former's stomach. That takes Niazai to 50. Ambrish goes full outside off next ball, Niazai slashes at it and it takes an edge past third man for four. Another full delivery outside off, that is also sent past third man for four. Single next ball. Extraordinary assault.
Niazai on 61 off 66, Shonizada on 103 off 89.
Afghanistan 242/2 in 44 overs
163 against Ireland in their previous match and now an 86-ball century against the might of India. What a tournament Faisal Shinozada is having here. He is the highest run scorer in it now. He takes two runs off the first ball of the 43rd over by Khilan Patel and then sets off, takes his helmet off and does the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration.
There hasn't been many big hits and boundaries in this innings and yet, Shonozada has maintained a strike rate of over 100 throughout, which shows just how well he has rotated strike. His partners, though, haven't exactly been able to keep up. Uzairullah Niazai is on 31 off 51 at the other end. Shinozada on 83 off 74.
Afghanistan 191/2 in 39 overs
A boundary each in the last in the 32nd and 33rd overs and it looks like Afghanistan are looking to maintain that trend now. Yet another steady stand building here. Uzairullah Niazai is on 16 off 30, Faisal Shinozada on 64 off 59.
Khilan Patel, meanwhile, needed to take a concussion test when he tried to stop the first of those two boundaries in the deep and ended up hitting his head on the ground. He seems fine and bowled his eighth over in the 33rd. Now Deepesh returns for the 34th.
Afghanistan 157/2 in 33 overs
Two runs off the first ball of the 29th over and that takes Shinozaea to 51 in just 49 balls. This has been a gem of a knock from the Afghanistan No.3 but he will need to convert this to a big one to give his side a chance here.
Well it looks like he felt the pressure of having to shift a gear and tried to break the shackles, perishes in the effort. Chouhan bowls the first ball of the 25th over from behind the stumps. Sadat reaches out for it, seems to have decided that he is to break the shackles on this delivery. The long-off fielder was back and yet, he tried to clear him. Ended up putting it straight down the throat of the fielder there.
Sadat c Deepesh b Chouhan 39 (70)
Afghanistan 117/2 in 24.1 overs
Bit of a contrasting innings thus far from the two batters out there but it is working for Afghanistan. Shinozada has scored 40 in 33 balls, Sadat has made just 39 in 66 balls. It might be time for Sadat to try and step it up a bit. Not go crazy, but there are enough wickets in hand for him to abandon the monk-like penance he is in at the moment.
Afghanistan 114/1 in 23 overs
Afghanistan's run rate continues to stay below five. Khilan Patel bowled his fourth over, he has figures of 0/17. Kanishk Chouhan bowled his first over in the 19th and so it is spin at both ends now for India. These next 10 overs could be interesting now. Afghanistan haven't exactly tonked the ball everywhere but they have done is build a very solid base for themselves, still having nine wickets in hand after the first 20 overs. Problem, though, will be if they can't go and get a big score from here, in which case these 20 overs will be seen as wasted opportunity to score quicker.
Khilan Patel's third ball of the 16th over was angled in on leg stump, Faisal Shinozada clears his front leg and sends it over midwicket. Khilan then goes too full outside off, Shinozada goes forward and drives it through covers for another four. He is on 17 off 13, Sadat on 25 off 44.
Afghanistan 74/1 in 16 overs
Good length delivery that seems to be moving away from the batter, it nips back off the seam. Ahmadzai tried to drive it on the up, it takes the inside edge and through to the wicketkeeper.
Ahmadzai c Kundu b Deepesh 31 (39)
Afghanistan 53/1 in 12.2 overs
First bowling change for India, Deepesh Deependran into the attack, replacing Ambrish. Ahmadzai got a couple of fours off Ambrish in his last over. However, it has been a tight start overall from the Indians, Afghanistan are still going at less than five runs an over.
Ambrish was too full and straight first ball of the match and Sadat put it away with aplomb through square leg for four. He took a single next ball, Ambrish went full outside of fifth ball and Ahmadzai sliced it and it fell just short of the man at deep third.
Henil Patel bowled the second over, the second ball was in the slot and Ahmadzai went forward, sends it to the boundary with an imperious cover drive. That is all the runs that come from that over though.
Ahmadzai on five off eight, Sadat on five off four.
Ambrish has the ball in his hands for India, Osman Sadat opening for Afghanistan along with Khalid Ahmadzai.
India: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre(c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu(w), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
Afghanistan: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan(w/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Abdul Aziz, Khatir Stanikzai, Roohullah Arab, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran
Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first.
It has been an unbelievable road to this stage for Afghanistan. Before arguably the biggest game of their lives, Jonathan Trott, head coach of the senior team, had a chat with the boys in video call.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWords of Wisdom! 🙌
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 3, 2026
Afghanistan Head Coach @Trotty, during a video call, addressed the Afghanistan Future Stars, praised their recent victories, and wished them the very best for the semi-final of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup. 🙌👏#futurestars | #u19worldcup pic.twitter.com/ojJKByky39
Thomas Rew's 107-ball 110 helped England beat Australia by 27 runs and reach the final of this year's U19 World Cup. Rew hit 14 fours and a six on a day when England's next highest scorer had made just 40. It took them to a score of 277/7. Australiam captain Oliver Peake scored 100 in 88 balls but it wasn't enough for them.
In his two half-centuries, he offered reminders of why he is so highly rated. The 72 against Bangladesh showcased composure as much as flair, with Sooryavanshi guiding India out of a precarious position at 53/3 and laying a foundation for those to follow. The innings contained six fours and three sixes, but just as telling were the 22 singles he collected, reflecting a growing willingness to value strike rotation alongside boundary-hitting. Read more from Shankar Narayan here.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has shone ridiculously brightly in this tournament. The only problem, though, is that those bursts of light have only been short ones and they haven't exactly left a long enough shadow. He was the standout player coming into this tournament for India but thus far, he hasn't really left the individual impact the way the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and even Virat Kohli did in the past. Those were their squads' standout batters in the editions of the U19 World Cup they played in and Sooryavanshi is that for this Indian side now. In fact, one could argue that Sooryavanshi came in with bigger hype than any of them.
And yet, his scores this year have read 30, 52, 40, 72 and 2. Each of those, except for the last one of course, have come at utterly astounding strike rates. But this is an ODI tournament. A team is always benefited by their opener lasting as long as possible in this format. There is still the semi-final, and possibly the final, for him to shine though.
Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan(w/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Abdul Aziz, Roohullah Arab, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran, Aqil Khan, Nazifullah Amiri, Khatir Stanikzai, Salam Khan, Zaitullah Shaheen
Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre(c), Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu(w), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Henil Patel, Harvansh Pangalia, Mohamed Enaan, Udhav Mohan, Kishan Kumar Singh
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the India vs Afghanistan semi-final from the U19 World Cup. Ayush Mahtre's boys are in the hunt for another final appearance (and another U19 World Cup title) in Zimbabwe.
The 2026 Under-19 World Cup has been a journey of unfulfilled potential for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who entered the tournament as one of India's most anticipated talents. Across five matches, the young left-hander has managed a string of starts—scoring 30, 52, 40, 72, and 2—proving his ability to handle elite bowling but failing to anchor a match-winning total. While his record-breaking 72 against Bangladesh showcased historical maturity for a 14-year-old, a pattern of "soft" dismissals against short-pitched pace has prevented him from delivering the singular, tournament-defining performance many expected. As India heads into the semi-finals against Afghanistan, he remains an enigma: a player possessing every tool for greatness but still searching for the discipline to turn glimpses of promise into sustained dominance. (Read more from Shankar Narayan)
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