Key points
- India Under-19 defeated Afghanistan Under-19 by eight wickets in the second semi-final of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup at Al Amerat on November 12, 2026.
- Afghanistan scored 227/8 in 50 overs, with Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi both making 51; captain Sohail Khan remained unbeaten on 36.
- India chased the target of 228 in 36.5 overs, finishing at 230/2 with 79 balls remaining.
- India captain Lakshya Raichandani top-scored with 93 off 90 balls and was named Player of the Match.
- Aaryavir Sehwag scored 51 off 57 balls, while VK Vineeth remained unbeaten on 57 off 62 and Yashvardhan Chauhan made 16 not out.
- Ishan Sood took 3/43 and Aryan Savsani claimed 2/29 as India restricted Afghanistan to 227/8.
- India will meet Pakistan in Saturday's final after Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in the other semi-final; Rizwanullah took 5/30.
India Under-19 booked their place in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second semi-final at Al Amerat on Thursday, November 12. Chasing 228, India reached 230/2 in only 36.5 overs, with 79 balls to spare, as captain Lakshya Raichandani led the way with 93 and received strong support from Aaryavir Sehwag and VK Vineeth.
Afghanistan had posted 227/8 in their 50 overs after being asked to bat. Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi scored half-centuries, while captain Sohail Khan remained unbeaten on 36. India's bowlers kept the total within reach, and the top order then completed the chase with authority to set up a final against Pakistan.
Raichandani leads India's clinical chase
India's reply was built around a strong partnership at the top. Aaryavir Sehwag scored 51 from 57 balls, striking four fours and four sixes, before he was dismissed for 117. Raichandani continued to control the innings and brought India close to the target with a 90-ball 93 that included 13 fours and one six.
The India captain was dismissed at 194, seven runs short of a century, but the result was already firmly in his team's control. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award. VK Vineeth then finished the chase unbeaten on 57 from 62 balls, with five fours and one six. Yashvardhan Chauhan supported him with 16 not out from 14 deliveries as India crossed the line at 230/2 in 36.5 overs.
The scorecard showed that India lost only two wickets in the chase. Sehwag fell at 117 in the 16.6th over, while Raichandani was dismissed at 194 in the 31.5th. The unbeaten stand between Vineeth and Chauhan ensured there was no late pressure, and India won with 13.1 overs remaining.
Afghanistan's fifties unable to set a bigger target
Afghanistan's innings had a solid middle phase, with Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi both making 51. Salarzai faced 78 balls and hit two fours and two sixes, while Rahimi scored his 51 from 72 deliveries, also striking two fours and two sixes. Their contributions helped Afghanistan recover and build a platform after early wickets.
Captain Sohail Khan remained unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, with one four and one six. He was at the crease when Afghanistan completed their 50 overs at 227/8. Subhan Zakhail added 31 from 44 balls, while Abidullah Nadarjan made 14 and Faridullah Ihsas scored 13. The innings included 14 extras.
Afghanistan were 143/3 in the 36th over and appeared positioned to push towards a larger total. However, India struck in a cluster during the closing stages. Aryan Savsani took two wickets in one over as the innings lost momentum, and Afghanistan were unable to turn their platform into a total that seriously challenged India's batting line-up.
Sood and Savsani lead India's bowling effort
Ishan Sood was India's leading wicket-taker with 3/43 from nine overs, including one maiden. He provided important breakthroughs as Afghanistan looked to build partnerships. Aryan Savsani returned 2/29 from seven overs, with his two wickets coming at a key stage in the middle and late overs.
Kavya Paresh Patel, Yashvardhan Chauhan and Arjun Rajput took one wicket each. Patel finished with 1/38 from eight overs, Chauhan took 1/26 from seven, and Rajput returned 1/20 in four overs. The collective effort helped India restrict Afghanistan to 227/8, despite the two half-centuries and Sohail Khan's unbeaten contribution.
Afghanistan's innings had been interrupted by a sequence of dismissals after they reached 143/3. The fall of wickets listed in the scorecard included Noman Salarzai at 143, Amir Hamza at 144 and Tahir Sarwary at 146, before further wickets fell in the final two overs. That cluster proved costly to Afghanistan's hopes of setting a more imposing target.
Afghanistan's unbeaten run ends in the semi-final
The defeat was Afghanistan's first of the tournament after an unbeaten run through the group stage. Their two half-centurions and captain's late resistance had kept them competitive, but India's bowling in the closing phase and the top-order response proved decisive. The margin of victory also reflected India's ability to maintain a high scoring rate without taking unnecessary risks.
For India, the performance was a complete team effort: the bowlers prevented Afghanistan from accelerating late, and the top three in the chase all made substantial contributions. Raichandani's 93 was the standout innings, while Sehwag's fifty and Vineeth's unbeaten half-century ensured India did not need a lower-order contribution.
India set up final against Pakistan
India will face Pakistan in Saturday's final after their neighbours defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in the other semi-final. Pakistan's Rizwanullah was the standout performer with the ball, taking 5/30 to help secure the victory and a place in the title match.
The final will be a rematch of the previous December's Under-19 Asia Cup final, which Pakistan won. India now have an opportunity to respond in another high-profile meeting between the two sides. Their semi-final performance gives them momentum, but the final will present a different challenge against a Pakistan side that also advanced emphatically.
SportsLine angle: India's chase showed the value of a settled top order in a knockout match. Raichandani's near-century set the platform, Sehwag ensured the scoring rate stayed healthy, and Vineeth's unbeaten 57 completed the job. With Pakistan waiting in the final, India's ability to repeat that collective batting discipline will be central to their title hopes.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of India vs Afghanistan in the U19 Asia Cup semi-final?
India Under-19 beat Afghanistan Under-19 by eight wickets in the second semi-final at Al Amerat on November 12, 2026. India chased Afghanistan's 227/8, reaching 230/2 in 36.5 overs with 79 balls remaining to qualify for the final.
Who was Player of the Match in India vs Afghanistan U19 semi-final?
India captain Lakshya Raichandani was named Player of the Match after scoring 93 from 90 balls. His innings included 13 fours and one six and anchored India's successful chase of 228 in the second semi-final.
Who scored half-centuries in the India U19 run chase?
Aaryavir Sehwag made 51 off 57 balls, while Lakshya Raichandani scored 93 off 90. VK Vineeth finished unbeaten on 57 from 62 balls, and Yashvardhan Chauhan was 16 not out as India reached 230/2 in 36.5 overs to seal their place in the final.
Who were Afghanistan's leading run-scorers against India?
Noman Salarzai and Shah Faisal Rahimi both scored 51 for Afghanistan. Captain Sohail Khan added an unbeaten 36 from 44 balls, helping Afghanistan reach 227/8 in their full 50 overs after being asked to bat.
Who will India face in the U19 Asia Cup final?
India will face Pakistan in Saturday's final after Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in the other semi-final. Pakistan's Rizwanullah took 5/30 in that match, setting up a rematch of the previous December's final, which Pakistan won.