Match Details
AFG U19 vs IND U19, 2nd Semi Final ODI, U19 World Cup 2026 live
India U19
Afghanistan U19
Commentary
Afghanistan U19 (Probable XI): Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (c/wk), Azizullah Mia Khil, Nooristani Omarzai, Abdul Aziz, Roohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran, Aqil Khan
India U19 (Probable XI): Aaron George, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran
Preview by Mohammad Anab
India Under-19, the youthful titans of this World Cup, march into the semi-final with an aura of invincibility, ready to lock horns with a spirited Afghanistan Under-19 side in Harare on Wednesday. It is a duel where destiny beckons—one team sculpted by discipline and precision, the other fueled by fearless flair and unyielding belief. With a coveted place in the grand finale shimmering on the horizon, this clash promises not just a contest of cricketing skills, but a symphony of ambition, courage, and youthful fire.
India have been one of the most consistent teams of the tournament, ticking almost every box on their way to the last four. The side won all their games in the group stage as well as in the Super Sixes stage. The side topped the Super Sixes Group 2 points table.
In their last Super Sixes game against arch-rival Pakistan, which was almost a must-win for India to qualify for the semis, the side registered a 58-run victory. Batting first, India U19 scored 252/10, thanks to Vedant Trivedi, who scored 68 (98) on a difficult surface. In return, they bowled out Pakistan for 194 inside 47 overs on the back of some excellent spin bowling by Khilan Patel (3/35) and skipper Ayush Mhatre (3/21).
India's journey at this World Cup has been excellent. The side first registered a victory against USA U19 by six wickets (DLS Method). In the next match against Bangladesh U19, the side clinched victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks to the bowlers, and won by 18 runs (DLS Method). After that, they easily defeated the BlackCaps by seven wickets (DLS Method). In their first Super Sixes game, the Indians defeated Zimbabwe U19 by a heavy margin of 204 runs.
Middle-order batter Abhigyan Kundu is the side's leading run scorer with 199 runs from four innings. Pacer Henil Patel is the team's leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps.
The Indian batting has been anchored by a solid top order that has provided brisk starts, while the middle order has shown maturity under pressure. The bowlers, too, have played a decisive role, with both pace and spin combining effectively to control games through the middle overs and at the death. India’s fielding has stood out as well, reflecting the overall discipline and preparation of the side.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the most exciting stories of the competition. Known for their fearless approach, they have punched above their weight to reach the semi-finals, driven largely by their spinners and a batting unit that thrives on momentum. Their ability to apply pressure through spin in the middle overs has unsettled several opponents, while their batters have shown the confidence to take on stronger sides without hesitation.
The side finished second (after Australia) in the points table of Group 1 of Super Sixes. In their last game against Ireland U19, which was essentially a do-or-die match for them, Afghanistan defeated the European side by 191 runs. Faisal Shinozada scored a marvellous 163 (142) and skipper Mahboob Khan made 89 (79), which took Afghanistan's score to 315/7. Later, they dismissed Ireland for 124 inside 41 overs. Abdul Aziz and debutant Aqil Khan took three wickets apiece.
Afghanistan started their campaign on a high note by delivering the first and perhaps the only upset of this World Cup, when the young Afghan boys defeated South Africa U19 by 28 runs. After that, they defeated West Indies U19 by a big margin of 138 runs. In their final group game, the side defeated Tanzania U19 by nine wickets and 224 balls to spare. The only loss the side has suffered in their campaign came against Sri Lanka U19 in the first game of the Super Sixes.
Shinozada is the second-highest leading run getter of this WC with 325 runs from five innings. Seamer Nooristani Omarzai is the fourth-highest leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 12 scalps.
Since December 2023, both sides have met thrice in this format and on all those occasions, India have emerged victorious. They both participated in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2025, however, they didn't face off against each other in the competition.
With both teams carrying confidence and ambition, Wednesday’s semi-final is expected to be a tightly fought encounter. India will start as favourites on paper, but Afghanistan’s rise in youth cricket ensures there will be no room for complacency as the two sides battle for a coveted spot in the U19 World Cup final.
Who will play the U19 WC final against England U19? Join us at 12 PM IST (8:30 AM Local Time) on Wednesday for the live coverage.
India Under-19, the youthful titans of this World Cup, march into the semi-final with an aura of invincibility, ready to lock horns with a spirited Afghanistan Under-19 side in Harare on Wednesday. It is a duel where destiny beckons—one team sculpted by discipline and precision, the other fueled by fearless flair and unyielding belief. With a coveted place in the grand finale shimmering on the horizon, this clash promises not just a contest of cricketing skills, but a symphony of ambition, courage, and youthful fire.
India have been one of the most consistent teams of the tournament, ticking almost every box on their way to the last four. The side won all their games in the group stage as well as in the Super Sixes stage. The side topped the Super Sixes Group 2 points table.
In their last Super Sixes game against arch-rival Pakistan, which was almost a must-win for India to qualify for the semis, the side registered a 58-run victory. Batting first, India U19 scored 252/10, thanks to Vedant Trivedi, who scored 68 (98) on a difficult surface. In return, they bowled out Pakistan for 194 inside 47 overs on the back of some excellent spin bowling by Khilan Patel (3/35) and skipper Ayush Mhatre (3/21).
India's journey at this World Cup has been excellent. The side first registered a victory against USA U19 by six wickets (DLS Method). In the next match against Bangladesh U19, the side clinched victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks to the bowlers, and won by 18 runs (DLS Method). After that, they easily defeated the BlackCaps by seven wickets (DLS Method). In their first Super Sixes game, the Indians defeated Zimbabwe U19 by a heavy margin of 204 runs.
Middle-order batter Abhigyan Kundu is the side's leading run scorer with 199 runs from four innings. Pacer Henil Patel is the team's leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps.
The Indian batting has been anchored by a solid top order that has provided brisk starts, while the middle order has shown maturity under pressure. The bowlers, too, have played a decisive role, with both pace and spin combining effectively to control games through the middle overs and at the death. India’s fielding has stood out as well, reflecting the overall discipline and preparation of the side.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the most exciting stories of the competition. Known for their fearless approach, they have punched above their weight to reach the semi-finals, driven largely by their spinners and a batting unit that thrives on momentum. Their ability to apply pressure through spin in the middle overs has unsettled several opponents, while their batters have shown the confidence to take on stronger sides without hesitation.
The side finished second (after Australia) in the points table of Group 1 of Super Sixes. In their last game against Ireland U19, which was essentially a do-or-die match for them, Afghanistan defeated the European side by 191 runs. Faisal Shinozada scored a marvellous 163 (142) and skipper Mahboob Khan made 89 (79), which took Afghanistan's score to 315/7. Later, they dismissed Ireland for 124 inside 41 overs. Abdul Aziz and debutant Aqil Khan took three wickets apiece.
Afghanistan started their campaign on a high note by delivering the first and perhaps the only upset of this World Cup, when the young Afghan boys defeated South Africa U19 by 28 runs. After that, they defeated West Indies U19 by a big margin of 138 runs. In their final group game, the side defeated Tanzania U19 by nine wickets and 224 balls to spare. The only loss the side has suffered in their campaign came against Sri Lanka U19 in the first game of the Super Sixes.
Shinozada is the second-highest leading run getter of this WC with 325 runs from five innings. Seamer Nooristani Omarzai is the fourth-highest leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 12 scalps.
Since December 2023, both sides have met thrice in this format and on all those occasions, India have emerged victorious. They both participated in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2025, however, they didn't face off against each other in the competition.
With both teams carrying confidence and ambition, Wednesday’s semi-final is expected to be a tightly fought encounter. India will start as favourites on paper, but Afghanistan’s rise in youth cricket ensures there will be no room for complacency as the two sides battle for a coveted spot in the U19 World Cup final.
Who will play the U19 WC final against England U19? Join us at 12 PM IST (8:30 AM Local Time) on Wednesday for the live coverage.
Afghanistan U19 Squad: Mahboob Khan (c/wk), Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Khan, Uzairullah Niazai, Aziz Mia Khil, Nazif Amiri, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani Omarzai, Abdul Aziz, Salam Khan, Wahid Zadran, Zaitullah Shaheen, Rohullah Arab, Hafieez Zadran
India U19 Squad: Ayush Mhatre (c), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Deepesh Devendran, Mohamed Enaan, Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Kishan Kumar Singh, Vihaan Malhotra, Udhav Mohan, Henil Patel, Khilan Patel, Harvansh Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi