Aaron George hit a stroke-filled 115 as five-time champions India pulled off a record run-chase to storm into the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second semi-final at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
Chasing a daunting 311, India rode on George’s 115 off 104 balls, laced with 15 fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 110.58 to complete a daunting chase. Explosive half-centuries by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (68 off 33 balls), who was also dropped twice by fielders, and skipper Ayush Mhatre (62 off 39 balls) also helped India to seal their place in the summit clash against England, to be held at the same venue on February 6.
They completed the chase in just 41.1 overs, with seven wickets in hand, to enter their 10th World Cup final and sixth in succession. George, who had endured a lean tournament until now, rose to the occasion by sharing a 90-run opening partnership with Sooryavanshi, before adding 114 runs for the second wicket with Mhatre and 96 runs for the third wicket with Vihaan Malhotra, who made 38 not out off 47 balls.
