Aaron George century helps India down Afghanistan in semi-final

Riding on a century from Aaron George and fifties from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and skipper Ayush Mhatre, the Indian cricket team beat a formidable Afghanistan side by seven wickets in the U19 World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Wednesday.

Batting first at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, Afghanistan posted 310/4, built on superb centuries from Faisal Shinozada (110 off 93) and Uzairullah Niazai (101 off 86). Kanishk Chouhan, with 2/55, was India’s most successful bowler.

In reply, India began brightly and never allowed the required rate to drift. Thanks to Aaron George’s 115 off 104, Suryavanshi’s blistering 68 off 33 and Ayush Mhatre’s 62 off 59, India chased down the target in 41.1 overs.

The victory takes India into the U19 World Cup final for the seventh consecutive edition. They remain the most successful team in the event’s history with five trophies, while England’s lone title came in 1998.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the tone with a breathtaking start by launching into the attack from the outset.

The left-hander dealt almost exclusively in boundaries and raced to his half-century with a towering six, reaching the milestone in just 24 balls.

Suryavanshi’s electrifying knock came to an end in the 10th over with India on 90, but not before he had blazed his way to 68 off 33 deliveries with a staggering 60 of those runs coming in boundaries.

His dismissal, though, did little to slow down India’s pursuit of the target as skipper Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George joined forces to put on a 148-run partnership off just 130 balls.

Ayush Mhatre, who scored 62 from 59 balls, fell in the 27th over but not before putting India in the driver’s seat at 204/2.

George and Vihaan Malhotra then ensured India stayed on course with a 96-run partnership.

The centurion was dismissed as soon as India reached the 300-mark but they eventually crossed the finish line with ease to set up a title clash against England at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai made a cautious start to the innings and added 53 runs for the opening wickets.

India’s Deepesh Devendran got his team’s first breakthrough in the 13th over after dismissing Khalid Ahmadzai, who had donned the role of aggressor in the powerplay and managed to hit four fours and a six prior to his dismissal.

Faisal Shinozada then joined Osman Sadat in the middle and the pair added a fluent 50-run partnership for the second wicket before the opener was dismissed by Kanishk Chouhan at the start of the 25th over.

Uzairullah Niazai walked in after Sadat’s departure and alongside Shinozada, stitched together a commanding 148-run stand off 130 balls, firmly swinging the momentum Afghanistan’s way and placing them in a position of control.

Faisal Shinozada eventually fell in the 46th over but not before he had scored a superb 110 off just 93 balls.

Soon after Shinozada perished, Uzairullah Niazai also brought up his hundred and finished on an unbeaten 101 from 86 deliveries to help guide Afghanistan to a formidable total of 310/4.

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