Afghanistan U19 delivered a stunning batting performance against India U19 in the second semi-final of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026. Batting first at the Harare Sports Club, Afghanistan piled up a massive 310/4 in 50 overs, setting India a historic target of 311 runs.
The innings was powered by twin centuries from Faisal Khan Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai, putting the Indian bowling attack under heavy pressure and turning the knockout clash into one of the highest-scoring semi-finals in tournament history.
Match Score Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan U19 | 310/4 | 50 |
| India U19 | Target: 311 | — |
Shinozada Sets the Tone with Aggressive Hundred
Afghanistan lost early wickets but quickly recovered after Shinozada took control at number three. The right-hander played fearless cricket, reaching his half-century in quick time before accelerating further.
He completed his century in 86 balls and finished with 110 runs off 93 balls, hitting boundaries regularly and dominating both pace and spin. His celebration after the hundred drew attention from fans as well.
Shinozada has now been one of the most consistent batters of the tournament and continues to rank among the top run-scorers.
Niazai Anchors the Finish
While Shinozada attacked, Niazai initially struggled to find rhythm. However, once settled, he built momentum steadily and turned his innings into a match-defining knock.
He scored an unbeaten 101 off 86 balls, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly. The pair shared a crucial 148-run partnership, and the final ten overs produced more than 100 runs, taking the total beyond 300.
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Key Afghanistan Batting Performances
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faisal Shinozada | 110 | 93 | 15 | 00 |
| Uzairullah Niazai | 101* | 86 | 12 | 02 |
India Bowlers Under Pressure
India managed breakthroughs at intervals but struggled to control the scoring rate in the middle and death overs. Multiple bowlers shared wickets, yet Afghanistan’s acceleration late in the innings proved decisive.
The last phase of the innings shifted momentum heavily toward Afghanistan before the chase even began.
A chase of 311 in a U19 World Cup knockout match is extremely rare. If India manages to reach the target, it would become one of the biggest successful run chases in the history of the tournament.
With the final at stake, the focus now shifts to whether the Indian batting unit can respond under pressure or Afghanistan’s bowlers can defend the total.
This semi-final decides a place in the championship match, making every run crucial. Afghanistan’s dominant batting effort has given them a strong chance to reach the final, while India must produce a special performance to stay alive in the competition.
