The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 semi-final between India and Afghanistan has started with high intensity at the Harare Sports Club. Afghanistan captain Mahboob Khan won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to put scoreboard pressure on the unbeaten Indian side. Early stages of the match have seen Afghanistan’s openers deliver a confident start, while India’s bowlers are trying hard to secure an early breakthrough.
Afghanistan Off to a Confident Start
Afghanistan’s opening pair, Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai, showed strong composure against the Indian pace attack. The duo played attacking yet controlled cricket, rotating strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries. Their partnership ensured Afghanistan crossed the powerplay without losing a wicket and maintained steady scoring momentum.
Khalid Ahmadzai looked particularly aggressive, hitting multiple boundaries and a powerful six during the early overs. His confident stroke play helped Afghanistan build pressure on India’s bowling unit. Osman Sadat supported him well, playing calculated shots and maintaining stability at the other end.
At 42 runs without loss after the powerplay, Afghanistan appeared comfortable and slightly ahead in the contest. Their steady run rate allowed them to lay a solid foundation for the middle order.
India’s Bowling Attack Looking for Early Success
India entered the semi-final with strong momentum, having won every match in the tournament so far. However, their bowlers faced early resistance from Afghanistan’s opening pair. Henil Patel and RS Ambrish tried to create opportunities through tight line and length bowling but struggled to break the partnership.
India came very close to securing a wicket when they made a strong appeal for a caught-behind decision against Osman Sadat. Wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu completed the catch, and Indian players celebrated briefly. However, replays confirmed there was no contact with the bat, and the umpire ruled Sadat not out. The moment highlighted how close India was to gaining control of the match.
Despite the missed opportunity, Indian bowlers continued to maintain disciplined spells, aiming to restrict Afghanistan’s scoring pace and force mistakes from the batters.
India’s Strong Tournament Form Continues to Boost Confidence
India has been one of the most dominant teams in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026. The five-time champions entered the semi-final unbeaten, including a major 58-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Six stage. Their balanced squad, combining strong batting depth with effective bowling options, has made them one of the tournament favourites.
Wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu has been India’s standout performer with the bat, scoring 199 runs in five matches, including two half-centuries. All-rounder Vihaan Malhotra has also played a crucial role, contributing 172 runs and scoring an unbeaten century earlier in the tournament.
Young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, one of the youngest players in the competition, has impressed with consistent starts. The team management will expect him to convert those starts into a match-defining innings in this crucial knockout encounter.
Afghanistan’s Impressive Campaign Keeps Them Competitive
Afghanistan has also enjoyed a strong run in the tournament, winning four of their five matches. Their only defeat came against Sri Lanka, but overall, they have displayed impressive consistency. The team’s balanced batting and disciplined bowling attack have helped them reach the semi-final stage.
Captain Mahboob Khan expressed confidence at the toss, stating that the pitch looked suitable for batting and could later offer assistance to bowlers. Afghanistan’s strategy clearly focused on building a competitive total to challenge India’s powerful batting lineup.
High-Pressure Knockout Battle Underway
With a place in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final at stake, both teams understand the importance of maintaining composure and executing their plans effectively. Afghanistan’s strong opening partnership has given them early momentum, but India’s bowling depth and tournament experience keep them firmly in the contest.
As the match progresses, the middle overs are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome. India will aim to break Afghanistan’s partnership quickly, while Afghanistan will look to build on their solid start and set a challenging target.
Cricket fans around the world are closely watching this exciting semi-final clash, which promises intense competition, emerging young talent, and high-quality performances on the global stage.