In the second semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup, Vaibhav Suryavanshi played an explosive innings with a strike rate of 206, the other opener Aaron George scored a century. With the help of these innings, the big target of 311 runs given by Afghanistan started looking small. Captain Ayush Mhatre also played a half-century innings. India registered a historic victory over Afghanistan by 7 wickets. This is the biggest run chase in Under-19 World Cup history. Now in the title match, Team India will face England, which has reached the final by defeating Australia.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive innings
Chasing the target of 311 runs, India had a great start. Aaron George and Vaibhav Suryavanshi made a partnership of 90 runs for the first wicket, out of which 68 runs were of Vaibhav. He scored 68 runs in 33 balls at a strike rate of 206.06. In this innings he hit 4 sixes and 9 fours.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also become the highest run-scorer for India in the Under-19 World Cup 2026, he has scored 264 runs in 6 innings. It includes 3 half-centuries. When Vaibhav was out, India’s score was 90 runs in just 9.3 overs. This was a great start, after which Aaron George and Ayush Mhatre made a partnership of 114 runs for the second wicket.
Ayush Mhatre scored 62 runs in 59 balls with the help of 4 sixes and 5 fours. Mhatre was out in the 27th over, when India’s score was 204 runs. The target of 311 runs was beginning to seem small. After this Aaron George completed his century. He was out in the 40th over after scoring a century, when India was on the verge of victory. George scored 115 runs in 104 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 15 fours.
Aaron George is the Player of the Match for his superb knock 😊
India U19 register the highest successful run-chase in ICC Men’s U19 World Cups to clinch a 7️⃣-wicket win over Afghanistan U19 in the semi-final 🔝
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/rM2IsqdXXr#U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dHww5uf3iw
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2026
2 batsmen of Afghanistan scored centuries
After winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bat first. This was Team India’s first match in this edition on this ground (Harare Sports Club). It was suitable for batting. Faisal Khan scored his second consecutive century, he scored 110 runs in 93 balls. Uzairullah Niazai played an important role in the score crossing 300 by playing an unbeaten inning of 101 runs. Niazai scored 101 runs in 86 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 12 fours. Deepesh Devendran and Kanishk Chauhan took 2-2 wickets for India.

