Afghanistan U19 batsman overtakes de Kock, Gill, breaks national record with World Cup century

Batting at No.3 in a virtual quarterfinal for Afghanistan, Shinozada played a mammoth knock of 163 off 142 after taking strike in the fourth over. Ireland had struck through Reuben Wilson, who sneaked past Khalid Ahmadzai’s defences, on the last ball of the third over.

Ahmadzai’s opening partner Osman Sadat followed him five overs later as Afghanistan were reduced to 27-2. Shinozada’s 75-run stand with Uzairullah Niazai steadied the ship before a potentially match-defining 188-run partnership with captain Mahboob Khan.

The duo scored quickly, with their 188 runs taking 157 deliveries, leaving Afghanistan in a great position to post a commanding total when Shinozada departed in the 48th over with 290 on the board. Khan finished with 89 off 79 to help his side post 315-7 in a game they needed to win to qualify for the semifinals.

With the ton, Shinozada now has the joint second-most centuries in youth ODI cricket, along with Unmukt Chand and Towhid Hridoy, overtaking the likes of Quinton de Kock and Shubman Gill.

The 17-year-old’s five centuries in the format have come in the space of a little over 14 months, with his last four all coming since November 2025.

Shinozda hit his first YODI ton against Pakistan in November 2024, before hitting twin centuries against Bangladesh in a bilateral series in November last year. He added another hundred against the Tigers in the U19 Asia Cup in December before the 163-run knock against Ireland.

This is also the highest individual score for Afghanistan in YODIs. Karim Jamat previously held the record with 156 against Fiji during the 2016 U19 World Cup.

[Source: Wisden]