The Afghanistan Under-19 team made history by scoring over 300 runs for the first time, achieving a total of 310 for 4 against India Under-19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. This score is now the third-highest in the knockout stages of the tournament.
This innings raises an important question: has India ever successfully chased a target over 300 runs in the Under-19 World Cup?
Afghanistan’s Remarkable Batting Performance
The Afghan innings featured two impressive centuries. Faisal Shinozada scored 110 runs off 93 balls, hitting 15 fours. He played confidently and consistently contributed runs for his team.
Uzairullah Niazai finished with 101 runs from 86 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. The partnership between Shinozada and Niazai put India under pressure, enabling Afghanistan to reach their milestone score.
Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai also made valuable contributions early on, helping to establish a solid foundation for the innings. Afghanistan’s batsmen found gaps in the field, while the Indian bowlers tried different strategies.
Has India Ever Chased a 300+ Target in U19 World Cup History?
No, India has never successfully chased a target over 300 runs in U19 World Cup history. Until now, they hadn’t conceded more than 300 runs in this tournament, making Afghanistan the first team to pass that mark against India at this level.
In previous knockout matches, India chased a target of 245 runs against South Africa during the 2024 semi-finals, a pressure performance highlighted in Under-19 World Cup history.
The highest successful chase recorded in U19 World Cup matches is 305 runs, achieved by New Zealand against Ireland in 2006, which was not in a knockout match.
As India prepares to face Afghanistan in a crucial Under-19 knockout match, they will need to chase a target of 311 runs. This upcoming challenge is significant, with the potential to set tournament records if successful.
