Aaron George produced a stunning century as India stormed into the ICC U-19 World Cup final with a record chase of 311 against Afghanistan in the second semi-final in Harare. Chasing a stiff target, George anchored the innings with a fluent 115 off 104 balls before falling in the 40th over. India completed the chase in just 41.1 overs and will now face England in Friday’s final.
The chase was powered by an explosive start from Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He smashed 68 off just 33 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes. His assault took India to 90 runs inside the first 10 overs and eased early pressure. Captain Ayush Mhatre played a calm and crucial role in the middle, scoring 62 to keep the chase on track.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted a strong 310 for 4. Uzairullah Niazai and Faisal Shinozada both struck commanding centuries, pushing India under pressure heading into the chase.
After the match, Mhatre said, “Afghanistan started very well with the bat. Our bowlers did well in the middle overs, but they got away from us in the last ten. Our message was simple—play our natural game.”
He added, “The wicket was very good, a flat surface. We knew that if we played naturally, the target was manageable.”
Speaking about Suryavanshi’s impact, the skipper said, “He played a massive role. Getting 90 runs in the first 10 overs released all the pressure and made things easier for everyone else.”
India’s 311 is their highest successful chase in U-19 World Cup history. While it was heartbreak for Afghanistan, reaching the semi-finals remains a significant milestone for a team that continues to rise at both senior and junior levels. India now face England in the final, with both sides unbeaten and chasing the U-19 world crown.
