India face Afghanistan in U19 Asia Cup semi at Al Amerat on November 12

India will meet Afghanistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup semifinal at Al Amerat on Thursday, November 12, with the toss scheduled for 10 AM IST. The match pairs India, led by in-form opener Aaryavir Sehwag, against an Afghanistan attack headed by Noor Ali.

India reached the last four with two wins from three matches but their campaign has shown vulnerabilities, notably a defeat to Pakistan that exposed shortcomings in the batting when under sustained attack. Afghanistan topped Group B to set up the semifinal clash. Live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website, and the match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network in India. India have won the Under-19 Asia Cup eight times, including one shared title.

Aaryavir Sehwag has been the tournament's leading batter with 252 runs in three innings, including a 160 off 168 balls against the UAE that helped India post 309 for seven and secure a 70-run victory. The innings fulfilled a promise he had made to his father, former India opener Virender Sehwag, that he would score a hundred. Sehwag's runs have provided India a clear top-order platform in the competition.

Afghanistan’s bowling attack has been a major threat, with Noor Ali claiming 13 wickets in three matches and proving particularly effective with the new ball. The source notes his ability to maintain a demanding line and length may make the opening overs uncomfortable for India’s batters. Amir Hamza has supported Noor Ali with five wickets, while Faisal Rahimi and Subhan Zakhail have also contributed for the Afghans.

India's batting depth will be examined after the Pakistan loss; Arjun Rajput produced a hundred against Pakistan despite that match ending in defeat, and India were bowled out for 208 in that game. Anvay Dravid has yet to register a substantial innings in the tournament; he is identified in the report as the son of former India captain Rahul Dravid and is expected to seek a meaningful contribution to ease pressure on Aaryavir.

India’s bowling has shown potency as well, dismissing Nepal for 128, with Ishan Sood and left-arm spinner Manal Chauhan picking up eight and five wickets respectively in the tournament. Captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani will be looking for those two to make early inroads and apply pressure on Afghanistan's batting. INDIA U19 PREDICTED XI: Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani (C), Aaryavir Sehwag, VK Vineeth, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Arjun Rajput, Anvay Dravid (WK), Manal Chauhan, Aryan Savsani, Kavya Patel, Mohit Ulva, Ishan Sood. AFGHANISTAN U19 PREDICTED XI: Abidullah Nadarjan, Faridullah Ihsas, Subhan Zakhail, Noman Salarzai (WK), Shah Faisal Rahimi, Tahir Sarwary, Amir Hamza, Sohail Khan (C), Mohammad Ali, Noor Ali Niazi, Abdullah Hamdard.

India's named squad is Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani(C), Aaryavir Sehwag, VK Vineeth, Arjun Rajput, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Anvay Dravid(WK), Manal Chauhan, Mohit Ulva, Aryan Savsani, Kavya Patel, Ishan Sood, Yashveer Goud, Kushagra Ojha, Rajat Baghel, Shavin Vinodh. Afghanistan's named squad is Abidullah Nadarjan, Faridullah Ihsas, Subhan Zakhail, Noman Salarzai(WK), Shah Faisal Rahimi, Tahir Sarwary, Amir Hamza, Sohail Khan(C), Mohammad Ali, Abdullah Hamdard, Noor Ali Niazi, Sami Mubarez, Bilal Salimankhil, Lutfullah Mohammadi, Imran Mohammadi, Subhan Ali, Farid Zadran, Faisal Mubariz, Abidullah Abid, Hamza Khan Alikhil. Hot and humid conditions are expected at Al Amerat at the start of play, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius and humidity forecast at about 69 per cent; both teams will need to manage energy levels and stay hydrated.

A victory in this semifinal would place India within reach of another final appearance; to achieve that they must first overcome an Afghanistan side noted for its bowling potency.