Afghanistan Under-19 produced a comprehensive performance to rout West Indies U19 by 138 runs in their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 fixture in Windhoek, asserting their strength in both batting and bowling and positioning themselves as serious contenders in the group stage. The victory was built on a commanding total and a relentless bowling effort that never allowed the West Indies to get close.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Afghanistan U19 got off to a strong start at the High Performance Oval. Opener Osman Sadat anchored the innings with a patient 88 off 131 balls, playing risk-managed cricket and building partnerships at key stages. He laid the groundwork for the big total, combining well with skipper Mahboob Khan, who then shifted gears and accelerated with authority, scoring 86 off 69 balls with a mix of boundaries and calculated hitting. Their partnership steadied the innings after early wickets and helped Afghanistan post a formidable 262/6 in their 50 overs.
Khalid Ahmadzai also chipped in with useful runs (34), while Azizullah Miakhil added a quick cameo (21) late in the order, helping Afghanistan maintain momentum throughout the innings. The team’s disciplined approach ensured that they were never in danger of running out of steam, finishing with a total that would prove far beyond West Indies’ reach.
Chasing 263 to win, West Indies U19 never looked comfortable. Afghanistan’s bowlers struck early and often, putting consistent pressure on the Caribbean side with aggressive, penetrating spells. The West Indies top order struggled against early movement and variations in pace, losing crucial wickets and never really settling into a rhythm.
The Afghan attack was led by Nooristani Omarzai, who ran through the West Indies batting lineup with a brilliant 4/16, keeping the run rate in check while picking up key breakthroughs. Support came from Khatir Stanikzai (3/20) and Wahidullah Zadran (3/36), who shared the remaining wickets with excellent control and variations that West Indian batters found hard to negotiate.
West Indies’ innings never gathered momentum. Despite some resistance from individual batters, the team was bowled out for just 124 in 33.2 overs, making it a comprehensive win for Afghanistan across all departments. The lack of prolonged partnerships and relentless pressure from the Afghan bowlers ensured that West Indies were unable to trouble the target chase from the outset.
The victory not only gave Afghanistan a crucial two points in their quest to reach the Super Six stage but also significantly boosted their net run rate, an important tiebreaker in tournament standings. Coming off a previous win, this result kept Afghanistan unbeaten and in a strong position in Group D, underlining their consistency and depth.
For West Indies U19, the loss offers lessons as they look to regroup. Their bowling attack showed spirit but lacked the penetration required to defend a total, while the batting lineup will need better partnerships and temperament to challenge stronger sides in the competition.
Overall, Afghanistan’s performance was a statement of intent: solid batting foundations, aggressive bowling execution, and sharp fielding combined for one of the most dominant displays of the U19 World Cup so far. With this emphatic win, they have positioned themselves as one of the teams to watch as the tournament progresses.