India delivered a commanding all-round performance to brush aside Afghanistan and book their place in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final, extending their unbeaten run in emphatic fashion.
Afghanistan, after electing to bat first, posted a daunting 310 thanks to superb centuries from Faisal Khan (110) and Uzairullah Niazai (101*), who stitched together a massive middle-order stand to seize momentum.
But India’s chase exploded from ball one as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a blistering 68 off just 33 balls, setting the tone for a fearless assault that dismantled the Afghan bowling attack early.
Aaron George then anchored the innings with a classy 115 while skipper Ayush Mhatre added a composed 62, their partnerships ensuring India stayed comfortably ahead of the required rate before sealing victory in just 41.1 overs.
The win sends India into a record 10th U19 World Cup final, where they will face England on February 6, as the five-time champions chase a historic sixth crown and another chapter in their dominant youth cricket legacy.
