The Afghanistan national under-19 cricket team (Pashto: د افغانستان ۱۹ کلنو لوبډله) represents the country of Afghanistan in under-19 international cricket.
Afghanistan has qualified for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup on seven occasions. The team's first tournament was the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand, which they reached by finishing runner-up to Ireland in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier. Afghanistan has qualified for every subsequent World Cup. Although the team placed 16th and last in its first tournament in 2010, it rapidly became one of the leading under-19 teams in Asia. Afghanistan finished seventh at the 2014 World Cup in the UAE, setting a new record for the best finish by an ICC associate member (equalled by Namibia in 2016). After becoming an ICC full member, Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand.
Outside of the Under-19 World Cup, Afghanistan participates in the annual ACC Under-19 Cup. The team won the tournament in 2017, defeating Pakistan in the final. Afghanistan also plays occasional bilateral series against other Asian under-19 teams.
The team reached the semi-finals in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, where they lost to England.
History
The team played in the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Afghanistan were drawn in Group A, where they played England, Hong Kong and India. Afghanistan got a wooden spoon in this World Cup.
Afghanistan played in the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. They played against Pakistan, New Zealand and Scotland.
Afghanistan had qualified for 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. They were drawn against Australia, Bangladesh & Namibia in group B who they beat, qualifying for Super league, where they lost to South Africa. They finished tournament well by securing 7th position.
At the Asia cup
The team made it to the semifinals of the 2016 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, losing out to India by 77 runs. In the league stages of the tournament Afghanistan lost their first match, being defeated by Bangladesh. However, they won their next two matches against Pakistan and Singapore. They advanced to the semifinals on the basis of NRR.
Afghanistan won the 2017 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, defeating Pakistan in the final by a huge margin of 185 runs. In the league stages, Afghanistan won their matches against Pakistan and UAE but lost to Sri Lanka. They faced Nepal in the semifinals, whom they defeated by 7 wickets.
Under-19 World Cup record
Records
All records listed are for under-19 One Day International (ODI) matches only.
Team records
Highest totals
340/9 (50 overs), v. , at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox's Bazar, 5 February 2016 336/7 (50 overs), v. , at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 21 August 2012 309/6 (50 overs), v. , at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 25 January 2018 284/7 (50 overs), v. , at Cobham Oval, Whangarei, 17 January 2018 265/6 (50 overs), v. , at North-West University No. 1 Ground, Potchefstroom, 22 January 2020
Lowest totals
77 (34.2 overs), v. , at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, 28 September 2017 86 (32.2 overs), v. , at Nelson Park, Napier, 27 January 2010 101 (42.3 overs), v. , at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, 12 September 2021 101 (39.4 overs), v. , at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, 14 September 2021 113 (35.0 overs), v. , at Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground, 28 November 2019
Individual records
Most career runs
594 – Ibrahim Zadran (2017-2020) 425 – Hashmatullah Shahidi (2010-2014) 407 – Javed Ahmadi (2010-2012) 382 – Ikram Alikhil (2016-2018) 363 – Farhan Zakhil (2019-2020)
Highest individual scores
156 (132 balls) – Karim Janat, v. , at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox's Bazar, 5 February 2016 134 (111 balls) – Javed Ahmadi, v. , at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 21 August 2012 107* (113 balls) – Ikram Alikhil, v. , at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur, 19 November 2017 106* (142 balls) – Tariq Stanikzai, v. , at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium, Cox's Bazar, 12 February 2016 91* (132 balls) – Farhan Zakhil, v. , at North-West University No. 1 Ground, Potchefstroom, 2 February 2020
Most career wickets
35 – Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2017-2018) 29 – Shafiqullah Ghafari (2019-2020) 27 – Qais Ahmad (2017-2018) 22 – Noor Ahmad (2019-2020) 21 – Aftab Alam (2010-2012)