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The stage is set for a high-stakes match at Harare Sports Club India U19confronting the “giant killer” of the tournament, Afghanistan U19in the second semi-final 2026 International ICC U19 World Cup.
India entered the semi-finals with a perfect record and recently defeated their old rivals Pakistan Ranked first in the Super Six with 58 points. leader Ayush Mehat‘Boys in Blue’ show immense depth; when top order falters against Pakistan Vedan Trivedi (68) and Kanishk Chauhan (35) Step up your efforts to secure a competitive total. Their bowling ball consists of Henil Patel (11 wickets) and Mhatre and Kiran Patelperformed well in terms of defensive totals.
afghanistan, captain Mahbub Khanhas always been a surprise gift package for this tournament. They entered the semifinals with a huge 191-point advantage Irelandpowered by the amazing 163 Faisal Shinoda. While traditionally known for their spin, their speed attack consists of Nuristan Omarzai (12 wickets) – has been their main weapon in Zimbabwe’s case.
Harare weather forecast
Match day in Harare is expected to be generally warm and comfortable, but weather-related disruptions cannot be ruled out. While the first half of the day should be relatively stable, conditions could get tricky as the afternoon progresses due to cloud accumulation and showers.
Temperature (max: 26°C / min: 15°C): Daytime temperatures of around 26°C are ideal for cricket, neither too hot nor too tiring. However, temperatures dropping to around 15°C later in the day may bring a slight chill, especially if it’s rainy or windy, which may aid seam movement under the lights.
Humidity (around 70%, rising at night): Moderate to high humidity may make things a bit tough for fast bowlers for longer periods of time. As humidity increases in the evening, the ball may grip and swing more, which may help the bowler — especially if the air is moist after a rain.
Cloud cover (around 60%, mostly cloudy in the afternoon): Increasing cloud cover in the afternoon may reduce visibility slightly and aid bowlers’ movement outside the pitch. Overcast weather also increases the likelihood of delays due to rain and could affect the skipper’s decisions during the race.
Precipitation (55% chance, ~2.1 mm): Scattered rainfall or brief thundershowers are likely, especially in the afternoon and evening. Short layoffs are possible and if it rains the game may be affected by DLS calculations, making adaptability crucial for both teams.
Harare Promotion Report
The semi-final venue at Harare Sports Club is expected to be a well-balanced athletic track offering something for everyone. Historically, the surface has provided a “batting-friendly” environment once players have settled down, with average first-innings batting totals hovering around 240. However, current tournament figures suggest that fast bowlers have a clear advantage early on; in recent matches at this venue, the pacers have taken advantage of the extra bounce and early morning zip to take nearly 70 per cent of wickets. As the game progresses and the sun bakes the surface, it tends to dry out and slow down, allowing spinners to find significant buying opportunities in the middle and death overs. Given the dry nature of the square and the pressure of knockout rounds, scores over 260 may be difficult to chase.
Dew coefficient
In Harare, dew often becomes a significant factor in the second leg of day-night games as temperatures drop rapidly after sunset (around 6:34pm). However, since this is a day game (kick-off at 1:00 PM ITC), the dew advantage of the team bowling second will be minimal to non-existent.
toss prediction
Bowl first. Considering there is a 55% chance of rain and the possibility of overcast skies, the captain may prefer to chase. Overcast skies will help in the first hour of play, with DLS considerations usually favoring the team batting second in a rain-interrupted game.
Batting or bowling heaven? : Harare Sports Club currently offers a balanced field. Pacers like Noristani and Henil will find movement and bounce in the new ball. The pitch tends to dry out and slow down, providing significant turns for spinners. The total competition here is about 240-260. If the batsmen can survive the initial burst, the flat nature of the track can allow them to score big scores, as Shinoda has seen for nearly a century.
Border size: Harare Sports Club are known for their relatively square boundaries and long through balls.
- square border:~65–68 m.
- Straight line border: ~72–75 m.
- Outfield: It’s very fast and a well-timed ground shot is very valuable.
