Afghanistan’s Under-19 cricket team put on a dominant show as they crushed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by a massive 180 runs in their ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifier match. The commanding win not only keeps Afghanistan unbeaten in the tournament but also makes them strong favourites to qualify for the 2026 U19 World Cup.
From explosive batting to sharp bowling, the Afghan team controlled the game from start to finish. Their latest victory follows two previous wins in the tournament, making it three out of three for the young Afghan side.
Khalid Ahmadzai Leads with a Brilliant Century
The star of the day was opener Khalid Ahmadzai, who delivered a magnificent century. He scored 132 runs off 124 balls, smashing 19 boundaries, including several crisp drives and clever placements. Ahmadzai’s innings was the backbone of Afghanistan’s innings, giving them a powerful start after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
His calm and confident performance at the crease showed maturity beyond his years, as he handled both pace and spin with ease. He set the tone early, forming strong partnerships and guiding the team into a position of dominance.
Middle-Order Fireworks Take Score Beyond 350
While Ahmadzai’s century set the platform, it was the middle and lower-middle order that provided the final push. Barkat Ibrahimzai exploded with an unbeaten 62 runs off just 22 balls, a knock filled with massive sixes and clean hitting. His rapid-fire innings added serious momentum to Afghanistan’s score in the final overs.
Adding to the fireworks was Mahboob Khan, who struck an impressive 59 not out from 37 balls. The duo put together a match-winning partnership that demoralized the UAE bowlers. Their late hitting pushed Afghanistan to a massive total of 359 for 4 in 50 overs — one of the highest in the tournament so far.
UAE Struggle in Big Run Chase
Chasing 360 was always going to be a tough task, and UAE’s innings never really took off. Wickets fell regularly as Afghan bowlers kept things tight. Though Rayan Khan tried to hold the innings together with a fighting 64 off 99 balls, the rest of the batting order couldn’t keep up.
Afghanistan’s bowlers showed great discipline and variety. Nooristani Omarzai was the pick of the attack, finishing with 3 wickets for 40 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. His clever changes in pace and accurate line troubled the batters throughout.
UAE could only manage 168 for 7 in 47 overs, falling short by a huge margin of 180 runs. As rain threatened later in the match, the result was calculated using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, but it didn’t affect the outcome much due to Afghanistan’s massive lead.
Afghanistan’s Unbeaten Run Continues
With this result, Afghanistan U19 continue their unbeaten journey in the Asia Qualifier. They had earlier defeated Oman and Hong Kong with comfortable eight-wicket wins. Their current form and consistency have made them strong favourites to top the group and qualify for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be held in Sri Lanka.
The team’s solid performances in all departments — batting, bowling, and fielding — show how well-prepared and focused they are. The players have shown great team spirit and confidence under pressure.
Next Match: All Eyes on Nepal vs Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s next and perhaps most important game will be against host nation Nepal on April 19. Nepal, too, have been performing well, and the match is expected to be a key decider for World Cup qualification.
This upcoming clash could be one of the most exciting matches of the qualifiers. Both teams are passionate, skilled, and hungry to win. The result could very well determine who gets a direct ticket to the World Cup.
Coaches and Players React
Speaking after the match, Afghanistan U19 captain praised his team’s effort, especially highlighting the top-order batting and disciplined bowling.
“We played like a unit today. Khalid gave us the perfect start, and then Barkat and Mahboob finished it with style. I’m very proud of how the bowlers backed it up. We’re focused on the next match and our goal of reaching the World Cup,” he said.
Afghanistan’s head coach also praised the team’s maturity and commitment, adding that such performances are a result of months of hard work and training camps back home.
A Growing Force in Youth Cricket
Afghanistan’s U19 team has been rising steadily in recent years. With improved coaching, training facilities, and growing domestic interest in cricket, the nation has become a serious competitor at the junior level. Their performances in tournaments like the U19 Asia Qualifiers reflect the progress being made in developing young talent.
With stars like Ahmadzai and Ibrahimzai shining bright, the future of Afghan cricket looks promising. Fans across the country and around the world will be hoping this group of young players can carry the momentum forward and make a strong impact on the global stage.
Final Score Summary:
- Afghanistan U19: 359/4 in 50 overs
- Khalid Ahmadzai – 132 (124)
- Barkat Ibrahimzai – 62* (22)
- Mahboob Khan – 59* (37)
- UAE U19: 168/7 in 47 overs (DLS method)
- Rayan Khan – 64 (99)
- Nooristani Omarzai – 3/40
Result: Afghanistan U19 won by 180 runs (DLS method)
Player of the Match: Khalid Ahmadzai
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