Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India reached the ICC Under-19 World Cup final after beating Afghanistan by seven wickets on Wednesday in Harare, riding on a century from Aaron George and half-centuries from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre. India will face England in the final on Friday. This will be India’s 10th appearance in an Under-19 World Cup final.Chasing 311, India completed the target in 41.1 overs, recording their highest successful chase in the history of the tournament. Aaron George anchored the innings with 115 off 104 balls, while Sooryavanshi scored 68 off 33 balls and Mhatre made 62 off 59 deliveries. India maintained a run rate of over seven runs per over for most of the chase.
Afghanistan had earlier posted 310 for four after being asked to bat. The total was built around centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazal. Faisal scored 110 off 93 balls, while Niazal remained unbeaten on 101 off 86 balls as the Indian bowlers found it difficult to take wickets regularly.India began the chase aggressively, with Sooryavanshi setting the tone at the top. He scored freely against off-spinner Wahidullah Zadran and was dropped on 22 by Niazal at point off Abdul Aziz. Sooryavanshi continued to attack and also hit pacer Nooristani Omarzai for a six. His innings ended when an attempted pull shot off Omarzai resulted in a catch by Osman Sadat inside the circle. The opening stand ended at 93.After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Aaron George and Ayush Mhatre added 114 runs for the second wicket in just over 17 overs, taking India past the 200-run mark in the 27th over. Mhatre, who had struggled earlier in the tournament, reached his fifty during this partnership. While Mhatre played the attacking role, Aaron continued to bat steadily.Mhatre was dismissed after his half-century, but Aaron continued at the crease and brought up his hundred in 95 balls with a boundary through mid-wicket. Aaron later added 96 runs for the third wicket with Vihan Malhotra as India moved close to the target. Aaron was dismissed before the finish, but the result was already in India’s favour.India’s chase, led by Aaron George and supported by Sooryavanshi and Mhatre, ensured a place in the final.
