India’s Under-19 cricket team secured a place in the final of the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026 after defeating Afghanistan Under-19 by eight wickets in the second semifinal at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Thursday. India delivered an impressive batting performance while chasing a target of 228 runs, reaching the required total with eight wickets remaining.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan Under-19 decided to bat first and managed to score 227 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Their batters worked hard to build a competitive total against India’s bowling attack. However, India managed to control the scoring during important stages of the innings and kept Afghanistan from posting a bigger target.
In response, India’s opening batters provided a strong start to the chase. Captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani played an important role by scoring 93 runs from 90 balls. His innings included well-timed shots and consistent scoring, helping India stay ahead of the required run rate. He narrowly missed out on a century but made a valuable contribution to the team’s victory.
Aaryavir Sehwag also played a key role by scoring a half-century. He supported the captain with a steady batting performance and helped maintain the momentum during the chase. The partnership between the top-order batters put India in a comfortable position and reduced the pressure of reaching the target.
India eventually completed the chase with eight wickets still remaining, securing a convincing semifinal victory. The team’s strong batting performance once again highlighted the quality and confidence of its young players in the tournament.
With this win, India Under-19 have qualified for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026 final, where they will face Pakistan Under-19. Pakistan secured their place in the title match after defeating Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first semifinal.
The much-anticipated final is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026. With India and Pakistan preparing to compete for the championship, cricket fans can look forward to an exciting contest between the two young teams.