Hi and welcome to India Today's live coverage of Afghanistan vs India in the U19 Asia Cup semi-final in Al Amerat.

India U19 Playing XI: Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani(c), Aaryavir Sehwag, VK Vineeth, Arjun Rajput, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Anvay Dravid(w), Manal Chauhan, Mohit Ulva, Aryan Savsani, Kavya Patel, Ishan Sood

Afghanistan U19 Playing XI: Abidullah Nadarjan, Faridullah Ihsas, Subhan Zakhail, Noman Salarzai(w), Shah Faisal Rahimi, Tahir Sarwary, Amir Hamza, Sohail Khan(c), Mohammad Ali, Bilal Salimankhil, Noor Ali Niazi

Afghanistan U19 have won the toss and elected to bat first in this semi-final.

They will look to put runs on the board and make India chase under pressure, while the Indian bowlers have an early opportunity to exploit any assistance on offer.

With a place in the final at stake, the powerplay could be particularly important. India will be keen to strike early, but Afghanistan's unbeaten run suggests they will not be easy to dislodge.

India hold the historical edge! These two sides have met 13 times in Youth ODIs, with India winning 11 matches and Afghanistan claiming just two.

Their most recent meeting was a thrilling U19 World Cup semi-final earlier this year, when India chased down a daunting 310-run target to seal a seven-wicket victory. Afghanistan will be keen to rewrite that script today, but the numbers certainly favour the young Indians!

While Aaryavir Sehwag has grabbed the headlines with the bat, Ishan Sood has quietly emerged as one of India's most exciting performers with the ball. The 17-year-old Punjab pacer has taken eight wickets in three matches, including a four-wicket haul against the UAE. But there is a fascinating story behind those numbers. Standing at 6ft 4in, Sood has largely been shaped by his father, Dheeraj, who even sold his garment showroom to devote himself to his son's cricketing journey.

Their approach to fast bowling was anything but conventional. For six to nine months, father and son worked on just one delivery, a good length aimed at the top of off-stump. They later spent another eight to nine months perfecting swing and seam movement from the same spot. YouTube, Google and even ChatGPT became part of their learning process, helping them study bowling techniques, fitness and nutrition. Quite the cricket classroom!

Aaryavir's 160 against the UAE was extraordinary, but India will need more than individual brilliance to get past Afghanistan.

Their defeat to Pakistan exposed some concerns in the batting department, particularly when the top order came under sustained pressure.

Arjun Rajput's century in that game was a reminder of the middle order's potential, while VK Vineeth also made a useful 67 against the UAE. India have the batting resources, but this is the stage where everyone needs to contribute. No passengers today!

All eyes will naturally be on Aaryavir Sehwag. The India opener has been in sensational touch, scoring 252 runs in three innings, including a magnificent 160 against the UAE. But this is arguably his toughest examination yet.

Afghanistan's Noor Ali Niazi has picked up 13 wickets in the tournament and will be eager to test India's batting at the top. That contest could set the tone for the semi-final.

Good morning, folks! We are in Al Amerat, where India and Afghanistan are just one win away from booking a place in the U19 Asia Cup final.

India have had their ups and downs in the tournament, while Afghanistan arrive unbeaten and full of confidence. There is plenty at stake, and we could be in for quite a contest. Buckle up!