England reached the Under-19 Cricket World Cup final after a late flurry of wickets secured a 15-run DLS win over Afghanistan in Antigua; England to play Australia or India in Saturday's final - their first final appearance since 1998
Wednesday 2 February 2022 09:09, UK
England are through to their first U19 Cricket World Cup final in 24 years after holding on for a narrow victory against Afghanistan.
An unbroken 95-run stand between George Bell (56no) and Alex Horton (53no) helped England battle back from 136-6 to post 231-6 from their innings, reduced to 47 overs because of rain.
Afghanistan appeared well placed for victory when James Sales conceded 20 runs in an over, including two no-balls, before Rehan Ahmed (4-41) took three wickets in the penultimate over to swing momentum back England's way.
England limited Afghanistan to 216-9 to earn a 15-run DLS victory, securing them a place in Saturday's final against either Australia or India.
England won the toss and elected to bat first, with opener George Thomas scoring a half-century before Noor Ahmad (2-32) took a simple catch off his own bowling.
Naveed Zadran (2-67) claimed the wicket of Ahmed (16) to leave England on 136-6 with just 12 overs remaining, before Bell and Horton's quickfire seven-wicket partnership helped them post a respectable total to defend.
Josh Boyden had Nangeyalia Kharote out for a duck before Mohammad Ishaq and Allah Noor (60) added 93 for the second wicket, only for tight bowling in the middle overs to leave Afghanistan requiring 43 from 24 deliveries.
Sales brought Afghanistan back into the match when he delivered two no-balls - one of which denied him a wicket - and conceded 20 runs during a frantic over.
Boyden conceded just four runs off the next before spinner Ahmed stepped up to turn the match, despatching Noor Ahmed with the opening ball of the over before taking successive wickets with his fourth and fifth deliveries to help England see out victory.
Will England win the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup? Watch the final live on Saturday from 1.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket.
