Afghanistan Under-19 cricket team delivered a spectacular performance in their ICC U-19 World Cup semifinal against India, scoring an impressive total of 310 for 4. The standout players for Afghanistan were Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai, who each crafted contrasting centuries to lay a solid foundation for their team.
Afghanistan started their innings cautiously, managing only 42 runs in the first 10 overs. Openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai provided a stable start, putting together a partnership of 53 before Ahmadzai was dismissed for 31 runs. Sadat continued to anchor the innings until he fell for 39 off 70 balls, leaving Afghanistan at 117 for 2 by the 25th over.
The pivotal moment of the match came when Shinozada and Niazai joined forces, forging a remarkable 148-run partnership. Shinozada, fresh off a century in the previous game, showcased his skills by scoring 110 runs off 93 balls, featuring 15 boundaries. His innings not only provided stability but also set the stage for a big score before he was bowled out in the 46th over.
Niazai, on the other hand, played a more aggressive innings, remaining unbeaten on 101 runs off 86 balls, which included 12 fours and 2 sixes. His ability to accelerate during the final overs, despite receiving treatment for an arm injury, was crucial in pushing Afghanistan past the 300-run mark.
Azizullah Miakhil and Abdul Aziz added some quick runs towards the end, ensuring Afghanistan finished strong. For India, Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chouhan claimed two wickets each, while Khilan Patel performed well in terms of economy, giving away just 49 runs in his full quota of overs.
With Afghanistan’s late batting frenzy, they amassed 193 runs for their last two wickets, transitioning from a moderate score to a commanding total. India will now face the challenge of chasing down 311 runs to stay in contention for the title, as Afghanistan’s performance reflects a blend of careful strategy, partnership building, and explosive power hitting. As both teams prepare for the chase, cricket fans are in for an exciting finish in this high-stakes match.