Harare: Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai led the way with magnificent hundreds as Afghanistan posted a challenging 310 for four against fancied India in the semifinal of the U-19 World Cup Wednesday.
Faisal top-scored with 110 off 93 balls, while Niazai sparkled with an unbeaten 101-run knock off 86 deliveries as the Indian bowlers struggled to pick wickets at regular intervals.
Opting to bat, Afghanistan were off to a solid start with the opening duo of Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai adding 53 runs before pacer Deepesh Devendran effected the first breakthrough in the 13th over.
It was a length ball and as Ahmadzai shaped up to drive, he got a slight inside-edge that and it went through to wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu.
Ahmadzai made 31 in 39 balls.
Faisal then added 64 runs for the second wicket with Sadat, setting up Afghanistan for a strong total
However, spin-bowling all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan struck for India at the start of the 25th over as he had Sadat caught at long-off after the batter played a reckless shot. Sadat made 39, but consumed 70 balls for that.
After the departure of Sadat, Faisal found another able ally in Niazai as the duo stitched together a big partnership for the third wicket. Faisal struck 15 fours in all, while Niazai found the fence 12 times and cleared it twice.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan: 310/4 in 50 overs (Faisal Shinozada 110, Uzairullah Niazai not out 101).
