India U19 vs. Afghanistan U19 is the second semi-final of the 2026 ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, played today, Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman. The winner goes into the final on November 14, where they will meet the winner of the first semi-final between Pakistan U19 and Bangladesh U19. India, led by Lakshya Raichandani, finished second in Group A after winning two of their three matches, with their only defeat coming against Pakistan. Afghanistan, captained by Sohail Khan, topped Group B and arrive unbeaten. India have won the Under-19 Asia Cup a record eight times (including one shared title), and they beat Afghanistan in the 2026 U19 World Cup semi-final on their way to winning the title. Afghanistan will be desperate to turn the tables.
ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026 – Semi-Final 2 Details
Event: ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 (DP World Men’s U19 Asia Cup)
Match: India U19 vs. Afghanistan U19 (IND U19 vs AFG U19)
Stage: Semi-Final 2
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM IST / 10:00 AM PKT / 9:00 AM Oman time / 05:00 GMT
Toss: 10:00 AM IST (9:30 AM PKT)
Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman (Ministry Turf 2 in most sources)
Format: 50 overs per side (Under-19 ODI)
Captains: Lakshya Raichandani (India U19), Sohail Khan (Afghanistan U19)
Final: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Live Streaming & Live Score Info
| Region | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India (TV) | Sony Sports Network | Live from 10:30 AM IST |
| India (Streaming) | SonyLIV (app and website) | Online streaming |
One source says there is no direct option to watch this match live in Afghanistan. I could not confirm the broadcasters for Pakistan and other countries, so please check your local sports channel or app. Ball-by-ball live scores are available on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Sofascore and BCCI.tv. If you are traveling outside your home country, use a VPN (e.g. NordVPN or Norton VPN) to connect to your home country’s server and access your local broadcaster.
Why This Match Matters
A place in the final: This is a knockout match. The winner reaches the Asia Cup final on November 14, and the loser is out.
India chase a ninth title: India have won the U19 Asia Cup eight times, including one shared title, and want to add another.
Afghanistan are unbeaten: They topped Group B without losing a match, so they come in with confidence and nothing to lose.
A rematch of the World Cup semi-final: India and Afghanistan met in the semi-final of the 2026 U19 World Cup in February, and India went on to win the title. Afghanistan want revenge.
India’s loss to Pakistan: India’s only defeat in the group stage was against Pakistan by 3 wickets, so they cannot afford another slip.
Betting Odds & Prediction
I could not find reliable betting odds, so none are listed here. India are clear favourites on history, with 11 wins from 13 U19 ODIs against Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan are unbeaten in this tournament, and knockout matches in youth cricket can be unpredictable.
Smart Pick: Expect a competitive match, with India’s batting depth (Aaryavir Sehwag, Raichandani) against Afghanistan’s spin attack.
Pitch & Weather Update
I could not find a reliable pitch or weather report for this match. The earlier India match at this ground, on November 10, was played in clear conditions with no rain forecast. The match starts at 9:00 AM local time, so early moisture may help the fast bowlers for the first few overs.
Current Form: India U19
India finished second in Group A with two wins and one defeat.
- Beat Nepal U19 by 10 wickets (Aaryavir Sehwag 70*, Raichandani 53*)
- Lost to Pakistan U19 by 3 wickets (Nov 8)
- Beat UAE U19 in the last group match to qualify (Nov 10)
- U19 World Cup 2026: Champions (beat Afghanistan in the semi-final)
India U19 Squad: Lakshya Raichandani (c), Aaryavir Sehwag, Anvay Dravid (wk), Arjun Rajput, Ishan Sood, Kavya Patel, Manal Chauhan, Mohit Ulva, Yashveer Goud, VK Vineeth, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Rajat Baghel, Shavin Vinodh, Aryan Savsani, Kushagra Ojha
Current Form: Afghanistan U19
Afghanistan topped Group B and are unbeaten in this tournament, led by captain Sohail Khan.
I could not find a confirmed squad list or the group results for Afghanistan, so check the toss for the playing XI.
Head-to-Head Summary (U19 ODIs)
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 13 |
| India U19 Wins | 11 |
| Afghanistan U19 Wins | 2 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Latest big meeting | 2026 U19 World Cup semi-final (India went on to win the title) |
India have dominated this fixture, but Afghanistan have won twice and can never be written off.
Team Analysis: India U19
Strengths
- Eight-time Asia Cup champions and 2026 World Cup winners
- A strong top order with Aaryavir Sehwag and Raichandani in good touch
- Anvay Dravid adds a calm wicketkeeping presence
- Arjun Rajput has been one of the standout bowlers
- A strong head-to-head record against Afghanistan (11 wins from 13)
Weaknesses
- The loss to Pakistan showed they can be beaten in a chase
- Knockout pressure, as one bad day ends the tournament
- Afghanistan’s spin could be a challenge on a slower surface
Key Players
- Lakshya Raichandani (Captain): Leads the team and scored 53 not out in the opener.
- Aaryavir Sehwag (Batter): An aggressive opener who scored 70 not out off 52 balls.
- Anvay Dravid (Wicketkeeper): Keeps wicket and adds depth to the batting.
- Arjun Rajput (Bowler): One of India’s key players in this tournament.
Team Analysis: Afghanistan U19
Strengths
- Topped Group B and are unbeaten in the tournament
- Afghan teams are known for good spin bowling in youth cricket
- Nothing to lose against the favourites
- Motivated to beat India after the World Cup semi-final defeat
Weaknesses
- Have won only 2 of 13 U19 ODIs against India
- Limited experience in big knockout matches against India
I could not find a reliable list of Afghanistan’s key players, so check the team sheet at the toss.
Key Tactical Matchup
The key battle is India’s top order vs Afghanistan’s bowlers. If Sehwag and Raichandani get a good start, India can post a big total. Afghanistan need early wickets to put India under pressure.
The second battle is India’s pace attack vs Afghanistan’s batters. Arjun Rajput and India’s new-ball bowlers must get early wickets, because Afghanistan’s batters have not lost a match in this tournament.
Finally, the toss is important in a knockout match. The captain winning it will have to decide whether to bat first or chase, and both India and Afghanistan will want to avoid early pressure.
FAQs
When is India U19 vs Afghanistan U19?
Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM IST. That is 10:00 AM PKT and 9:00 AM Oman time.
Where is the match being played?
Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman.
Which stage is it?
Semi-Final 2 of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026.
Who captains each team?
Lakshya Raichandani captains India U19 and Sohail Khan captains Afghanistan U19.
Who is in the other semi-final?
Pakistan U19 vs Bangladesh U19, also on November 12.
When is the final?
Saturday, November 14, 2026.
What is the head-to-head record?
India lead 11-2 in 13 U19 ODIs against Afghanistan.
Where can I watch it in India?
Sony Sports Network on TV and SonyLIV online, from 10:30 AM IST.