Afghanistan’s youngsters have chosen first use of the surface in Kimberley after winning the toss in the ICC Under-19 World Cup semi-final against unbeaten India. The decision comes with a single tweak to their line-up: seamer Khatir Stanikzai replaces fellow quick Aqil Khan.
Stanikzai has featured in every match bar the last Super Six encounter and offers an extra yard of pace. Aqil, who sat out despite figures of 3 for 36 against Ireland, makes way in what coach Dawlat Ahmadzai called a “horses-for-courses choice”.
India resisted any temptation to shuffle the pack, naming the same XI that defeated Pakistan by 58 runs. At the toss captain Ayush Mhatre kept things simple: “The boys are doing well and the attitude they are showing is great. We just want to play simple cricket.”
Form lines are clear enough. India have yet to lose in the tournament, ticking off challenges from Bangladesh, New Zealand and South Africa before squeezing past their arch-rivals. Afghanistan’s only blemish remains a tight defeat to Sri Lanka; otherwise they have won comfortably, including that 191-run hammering of Ireland three days ago.
Pitch watchers expect early carry for the quicks but plenty of runs once the sheen wears off. India’s attack, led by left-armer Deepesh Devendran, relies on accuracy; Afghanistan back their aggressive top order to set something around 270.
Teams
India: Aaron George, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre (capt), Vihaan Malhotra, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Vedant Trivedi, RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran.
Afghanistan: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (capt & wk), Azizullah Miakhil, Khatir Stanikzai, Abdul Aziz, Roohullah Arab, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran.
First ball is scheduled for 10 a.m. local; a cool breeze and thin cloud promise comfortable conditions for a long day’s cricket.
