U19 Asia Cup 2026: India vs Afghanistan semi-final saw Lakshya Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag star as India booked a Pakistan final on November 14

New Delhi: India U19 booked their place in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 final after beating Afghanistan U19 by eight wickets in the second semi-final on Thursday, November 12. India chased down 228 in just 36.5 overs, finishing at 230/2 with 79 balls to spare.

The match took place at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Al Amerat, Oman. [verify: the ICC match listing identifies Ministry Turf 2, while some other listings show Turf 1.] India will now meet Pakistan in the title clash on November 14.

Lakshya Raichandani led the batting effort with a superb 93, while Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 51. Their opening partnership gave India the perfect platform in a high-pressure knockout match.

Afghanistan’s 227/8: How the first innings played out

Afghanistan batted first and posted 227/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The total gave their bowlers something to defend, but India kept the opposition within reach throughout the innings.

Shah Faisal Rahimi provided an important contribution with 51, while Afghanistan’s lower order helped the team reach a competitive score. However, India had enough runs to chase without taking unnecessary risks.

India’s bowlers restricted Afghanistan to below 230, leaving their batters with a manageable target. The Indian team then made the most of that opportunity with a commanding performance at the top of the order.

A 117-run opening stand sets up the chase

India needed a confident start, and Sehwag and Raichandani delivered exactly that. The opening pair put together 117 runs, immediately putting pressure on Afghanistan.

Their partnership combined steady scoring with attacking strokes. Neither batter allowed the required run rate to become a concern, and India moved towards the target without losing an early wicket.

Sehwag eventually departed at 117/1, giving Afghanistan their first breakthrough. However, the dismissal came after the opening pair had already done most of the groundwork.

Raichandani’s 93 and Sehwag’s 51

Raichandani emerged as India’s leading batter with 93 off 90 balls. He struck 13 fours and one six, producing an innings that combined patience with well-timed aggression.

The Indian captain controlled the chase and made good use of the opening partnership. His ability to find boundaries while keeping the scoreboard moving ensured that Afghanistan never built sustained pressure.

Sehwag also played an important role with 51. His half-century gave India early momentum and allowed Raichandani to build his innings at the other end. The two batters shared 117 runs before Sehwag’s dismissal.

Raichandani continued after his partner’s departure and brought India closer to the finish line. He eventually fell at 194/2, having added 77 runs with the second-wicket partner.

Vineeth and Chauhan finish the job

With Raichandani back in the pavilion, VK Vineeth and Yashbardhan Chauhan took responsibility for finishing the chase. The pair showed no signs of panic and kept India moving towards the target.

Vineeth remained unbeaten on 57 off 62 balls, while Chauhan contributed 16 not out from 14 deliveries. They added the remaining runs without allowing Afghanistan another breakthrough.

India reached 230/2 in 36.5 overs to complete an eight-wicket victory. The result also meant that India finished the chase with 13.1 overs to spare, underlining their control over the contest.

India vs Pakistan: The final line-up is set

India’s semi-final victory confirmed a high-profile meeting with Pakistan in the final. Pakistan had already secured their place after defeating Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first semi-final.

Bangladesh managed 138 in 31.4 overs. Pakistan chased the target comfortably, reaching 141/1 in 21.5 overs. Their convincing win set up another India-Pakistan contest for the continental title.

The two teams had already met during the group stage, when Pakistan defeated India by three wickets. That result adds another interesting angle to the upcoming final, as India will have an opportunity to respond on the biggest stage of the tournament.

What to expect in the final on 14 November

India and Pakistan will compete for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup trophy on Saturday, November 14. The final is scheduled at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, with the match listed for a 10:30 AM IST start.