India is set to play England in the final of the Under-19 World Cup after their record-breaking run-chase win against Afghanistan in Harare.
The five-time winners chased down an Under-19 World Cup record target of 311 for the loss of just three wickets and with more than eight overs to spare in a blistering display. Aaron George hit 115 after 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who already has a 35-ball IPL century to his name, smoked a scintillating 68 off just 33 balls after being dropped twice.
Captain Ayush Mhatre added a half-century of his own as India waltzed into their 10th final against an England side looking for their first win in the competition since 1998. Faisal Khan Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai both hit centuries for Afghanistan, who looked well set until the India batters took over.
"Our discussion was simple - just play our natural game," said Mhatre.
"The wicket was playing beautifully, a real flat wicket, so we knew if we played naturally, it would be a manageable total. Suryavanshi played a major role in the chase.
“Scoring 90 runs in the first 10 overs released all the pressure, making it much easier for the rest of us to build the innings. George is a classy, fabulous batsman.”
“He anchored the innings perfectly!"
