India advanced to the final of the Under-19 World Cup after a historic run-chase against Afghanistan in Harare, achieving a remarkable target of 311 runs. They accomplished this feat with the loss of just three wickets and still had over eight overs remaining, marking a new Under-19 World Cup record.
Star performer Aaron George played a pivotal role, scoring 115 runs, while the young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines with a stunning 68 off just 33 balls. Despite being dropped twice during his innings, Suryavanshi’s explosive performance, which included a swift start, laid a solid foundation for the chase. Adding to the team’s success, Captain Ayush Mhatre contributed a valuable half-century, steering India toward their tenth final in this tournament’s history.
On the other side, Afghanistan’s Faisal Khan Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai both struck centuries, creating a challenging situation for the Indian bowlers early on. However, India’s batting dominance ultimately shifted the momentum back in their favor.
“Our discussion was simple – just play our natural game,” said Mhatre, reflecting on their approach. He praised the playing conditions, noting that “the wicket was playing beautifully,” which allowed the team to thrive and tackle the sizable target effectively. Mhatre also highlighted Suryavanshi’s significant impact in the initial overs, stating, “Scoring 90 runs in the first 10 overs released all the pressure, making it much easier for the rest of us to build the innings.”
The upcoming final against England promises to be exciting as the English side seeks its first Under-19 World Cup victory since 1998. Fans can tune in for live coverage of the match on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra as well as the BBC Sport website and app starting at 07:30 GMT on Friday. This historic matchup not only showcases the rising talents in cricket but also reinforces the competitive spirit of the tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.