NEW DELHI: Afghanistan delivered a batting masterclass to stun India in the U-19 World Cup semifinal in Harare, piling up a formidable 310 for four - the highest total ever conceded by India in the tournament's history.

The charge was led by Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai, who both produced commanding centuries to put the fancied Indian side under sustained pressure. Faisal anchored the innings with a fluent 110 off 93 deliveries, while Niazai provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 101 from 86 balls, as India's bowlers struggled to break the momentum.

After opting to bat, Afghanistan made a steady start through openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai, who added 53 runs before India drew first blood in the 13th over. Pacer Deepesh Devendran forced the breakthrough when Ahmadzai edged a length delivery to wicketkeeper Abhigyan Kundu, departing for 31 off 39 balls.

Faisal then took control, forging a 64-run stand with Sadat to keep the scoreboard ticking. India briefly clawed back in the 25th over when spin all-rounder Kanishk Chouhan dismissed Sadat, who fell for a cautious 39 off 70 balls after mistiming a shot to long-off.

Any hopes of a collapse, however, were swiftly extinguished. Faisal joined forces with Niazai in a decisive third-wicket partnership that completely tilted the contest Afghanistan's way. Faisal's innings was laced with 15 boundaries, while Niazai showcased his range by striking 12 fours and two sixes, propelling Afghanistan beyond the 300-run mark.

The total eclipsed the previous highest score against India in U-19 World Cup history - 294 for eight by West Indies in 2014 - underlining the scale of Afghanistan's dominance on the big stage.

What is likely to unsettle the Indian camp is the daunting history stacked against them. No team has ever chased a 300-plus target in the knockout stages of the U-19 World Cup. The highest successful pursuit in a knockout came just two years ago, when India hunted down 245 against South Africa in the 2024 semifinal at Benoni.

Even across all U-19 World Cup matches, such chases are a rarity. The highest target ever overhauled in the tournament stands at 305, achieved by New Zealand against Ireland at Colombo's RPS in 2006.