Three Hundreds in Youth ODI: Record-Breaking Semi-Final in Under-19 World Cup 2026
Three Hundreds in Youth ODI made history during a thrilling semi-final match between India and Afghanistan at the Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Harare. The match produced extraordinary batting performances, shattered long-standing records, and delivered one of the most memorable games ever seen in youth cricket.
The semi-final was lit up by three outstanding centuries scored by Aaron George of India, and Afghanistan’s Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. This marked only the fifth time in Youth ODI history that three batters scored hundreds in the same match, highlighting the incredible quality of batting on display.
Afghanistan batted first and piled up a big total, scoring 311 for India to chase. This target was a record, now being the highest that any team has successfully chased in an Under-19 World Cup. The previous record was 305, set by New Zealand against Ireland in 2006. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
India’s successful chase of 311 is also the second-highest total scored by any team in a knockout match at the Under-19 World Cup. The only higher total remains India’s own 349 for 6 against Namibia in the quarter-final of the 2016 edition. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
In the bigger picture that is Youth ODIs, only one target larger than 311 has ever been chased down. Sri Lanka made 316 in 2016 in chasing down England at Chelmsford. India have chased a target of over 300 in Youth ODIs only once before this game – when they ran down 304 against England in 2002.
India’s chase against Afghanistan is now officially the highest successful run chase in a knockout match in Youth ODI history. The previous best was 262, achieved by India against Bangladesh in the final of the 2019 Tri-Nation Tournament at Hove. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
This was again one of the most sensational features of the match, because India were only overhauled at about 46 overs with 2 aggressive batsmen. India chased down the 311-run target with 53 balls to spare which is now the fastest ever successful chase of 300 or more in Youth ODIs. The previous record for the highest chase with at least 50 balls to spare was 271, also by India, against South Africa in 2013. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
Aaron George played an important role in India’s victory. His 115 is the third highest individual score in knockout games at the Under-19 World Cup. Only Nicholas Pooran, with 143 against Australia in 2014, and Cheteshwar Pujara, who was unbeaten on 129 against England in 2006, have scored more.
For Afghanistan, Faisal Shinozada continued his outstanding form by scoring his sixth century in Youth ODIs. This puts him joint-first on the all-time list for most Youth ODI hundreds, alongside Sami Aslam. Shinozada had also scored 163 in Afghanistan’s previous match against Zimbabwe, making him only the fifth batter in history to score centuries in back-to-back Under-19 World Cup matches. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
Uzairullah Niazai also etched his name into the record books by scoring a century in the same innings as Shinozada. They became only the second pair to score hundreds in the same innings of a Youth ODI knockout match. The first pair to achieve this feat were Vijay Zol and Sanju Samson for India against Pakistan in the 2014 Asia Cup final. Three Hundreds in Youth ODIThree Hundreds in Youth ODI
It was a stunning 564 runs made by the top four of both sides combined. This is the highest team total for sides batting in top-four positions in youth ODIs. Not just that, India and Afghanistan combined to add 565 runs before the third wicket fell – in the form of 50+ stands for their first three wickets. Never had that happened in Youth ODIs. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
The victory also sent India to the Under-19 World Cup final. It is also India’s sixth consecutive finals appearance — that run began in 2016. It will be India’s 10th Under-19 World Cup final, four more than Australia who have played in six finals overall. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
Only Pakistan (2004 and 2006), Australia (2010 and 2012), and India (2006 and 2008) have previously reached consecutive Under-19 World Cup finals. India will now face England in the final, with Australia and England meeting on the other side of the bracket. Three Hundreds in Youth ODI
In conclusion, Three Hundreds in Youth ODI turned the India vs Afghanistan semi-final into a historic spectacle. With record-breaking chases, rare batting feats, and unforgettable performances, the match will be remembered as one of the greatest games in Under-19 World Cup history.
