New Delhi: India advanced to the ICC Under-19 World Cup final with a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in Harare on Wednesday, powered by a century from Aaron George, half-centuries from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatt. India will face England in the final on Friday. This will be India’s 10th U-19 World Cup final.Chasing 311, India achieved the target in 41.1 overs, recording the highest number of successful chases in the history of the tournament. Aaron George was a sure winner with 115 off 104 balls, while Sooryavanshi scored 68 off 33 balls and Mhatre scored 62 off 59 balls. India’s run rate remained above seven per over for most of the chase.
Afghanistan had earlier scored 310 for four after being asked to bat. The entire building was built by Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazal around a few centuries ago. 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 started the chase aggressively and Sooryavanshi set the tone at the top of the order. He scored a free against spinner Wahidullah Zadran and was dropped by Niazal off Abdul Aziz in the 22nd over. Soriyavansh continued the attack and hit pacer Nooristani Omarzai for a six. Omarzai’s innings ended when Osman Sadat caught the ball in the circle as he tried to pull the ball. The first game ended with 93 points.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. Mhat struggled early in the game and during this partnership, he turned fifty. While Mhatre assumed an attacking role, Aaron continued to bat consistently.Mhatre was dismissed after his half-century but Aaron continued at the crease and completed his hundred in 95 balls with a boundary through mid-wicket. Aaron then scored 96 for the third wicket along with Vihan Malhotra as India came close to the target. Aaron was dismissed before the end of the game, but the result was already in India’s favour.Team India, led by Aaron George and supported by Sooryavanshi and Mhatre, secured a spot in the finals.
