Harare, 4th February. With the brilliant century of opener Aaron George (115 runs, 104 balls, two sixes, 15 fours) and the explosive half-centuries of explosive batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi (68 runs, 33 balls, four sixes, nine fours) and Ayush Mhatre (62 runs, 59 balls, four sixes, five fours), India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets with 53 balls remaining here on Wednesday. After being defeated, they made it to the finals of the 16th edition of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

There will be a clash with England in the final on Friday

Former five-time champion India has made it to the finals for the sixth consecutive time and for the 10th time in total. Now on Friday its title clash will be with England, which had defeated defending champion Australia by 27 runs in the first semi-final on Tuesday.

Afghanistan reached 310 runs with centuries from Faisal and Uzairullah.

Coming to bat first at the Harare Sports Club Ground, Afghanistan scored 310 runs for four wickets with the help of stellar innings by Faisal Shinozada (110 runs, 93 balls, 15 fours) and Uzairullah Niazai (101 not out, 86 balls, two sixes, 12 fours).

India successfully chased the biggest target in World Cup history

During the counter action, India successfully chased the highest target ever in the Under-19 World Cup and scored 311 runs at the loss of three wickets in 41.1 overs. The previous record for the most successful run chase till now was 305 runs, which was made by New Zealand against Ireland in 2006.

George’s big partnerships with Vaibhav, Ayush and Vihaan

‘Player of the Match’ Aaron along with opening partner Suryavanshi scored 90 runs in just 57 balls. When Suryavanshi was returned by Nuristani Omarzai (2-64) in the tenth over, another strong partnership of 114 runs in 102 balls came between George and captain Ayush. It was Omarzai who broke this partnership by dismissing Ayush in the 27th over.

Aaron George, who was at the other end, now got the support of Vihaan Malhotra (38 not out, 47 balls, three fours). Both of them made a partnership of 96 runs in 80 balls and took the score to 300 runs in the 40th over itself. Although George, who scored a century on 95 balls, fell victim to Wahidullah Zadran (1-67) 10 runs before the victory target, Vihaan and Vedant Trivedi (five not out) gave India the lead within the next 10 balls.

score card

Earlier in Afghanistan’s innings, Indian bowlers were seen struggling to take wickets at regular intervals. Osman Sadat (39 runs, 70 balls, three fours) and Khalid Ahmedzai (31 runs, 39 balls, one six, four fours) made a slow partnership of 53 runs for the first wicket. Deepesh Devendran (2-64) returned Khalid in the 13th over, while Faizal, who came at number three, took the score to 117 runs with a partnership of 64 runs with Osman. In the 25th over, Kanishk Chauhan (2-55) got Osman caught by Deepesh.

Partnership of 148 runs for the third wicket between Faizal and Uzairullah

However, after this, the Indian bowlers had to wait a long time for the next success because Faizal and Uzairullah, while batting brilliantly, not only completed their centuries but also put the team on the path to a big score with a strong partnership of 148 runs in 130 balls for the third wicket. Ultimately Deepesh bowled Faizal in the 46th over. Uzairullah returned unbeaten after taking the team beyond 300.