Faisal Shinozada hit 103 runs in the Asia Cup.

Faisal Shinozada hit 103 runs in the Asia Cup the opening match for Afghanistan. Get match highlights and details now.

Afghanistan U19 Batting

Player Name	Runs (R)	Balls (B)
Khalid Ahmadzai	3	13
Osman Sadat	34	50
Faisal Shinozada	103	94
Mahboob Khan	23	31
Uzairullah Niazai	2	5
Khatir Stanikzai	29	36
Roohullah Arab	12	16
Wahidullah Zadran	43	29
Salam Khan	1	2
Extras	33
Total	283/7	50 Overs

Shinozada’s Spectacular Century Sets the Tone in U19 Asia Cup Thriller

Dubai, UAE – December 13, 2025: In a riveting contest that lit up the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, Afghanistan Under-19 registered a formidable total against defending champions Bangladesh Under-19 in the opening Group B clash of the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025. The day belonged unequivocally to Afghanistan’s young batting sensation, Faisal Shinozada, whose breathtaking century laid the foundation for a challenging total of 283 for 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan’s decision was vindicated by a commanding display from their top order, spearheaded by the dominant Shinozada.

An Innings of Class and Power

Faisal Shinozada’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Walking out to the crease following the early loss of the first wicket, the young right-hander settled quickly, absorbing the initial pressure applied by the Bangladeshi new-ball bowlers. He stitched together a crucial second-wicket partnership with Osman Sadat, patiently rotating the strike before unleashing a calculated assault on the spin and pace combination.

Shinozada’s hundred—a rapid 103 runs achieved in just 94 deliveries—was peppered with delightful drives through the covers and powerful pulls over the mid-wicket boundary. His strike rate, hovering just above 109, indicated a player supremely confident in his strokeplay and timing. It wasn’t just about the power; it was the placement and the ability to find the gaps with precision that stood out.

The milestone moment arrived in the 33rd over when he nudged a delivery for a quick single, sending the Afghan dugout into raptures. Although he was dismissed shortly after reaching the three-figure mark, his knock ensured the momentum remained firmly with Afghanistan, providing the middle order with the platform to aim for a 300-plus score.

🤝 Crucial Partnerships and Late Flourish

While Shinozada was the star, his effort was complemented by valuable contributions from his teammates. The second-wicket stand with Osman Sadat (who scored 50 runs) was instrumental in stabilising the innings after the early dismissal of the opener. Later, a brisk fifty from the middle order added vital impetus in the death overs.

The Afghan batters demonstrated a clear plan: attack the loose balls and ensure the run rate never dipped, particularly through the middle phase. Despite losing a couple of wickets in quick succession towards the end—a characteristic of attempting aggressive strokes in the final powerplay—they managed to push the total to 283/7.

📉 Bangladesh’s Bowling Challenge

Bangladesh’s bowlers, often disciplined and sharp, faced a tough outing against the belligerent Afghan batting lineup. Spinner Shahriar Ahmed was the most successful among the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 45 runs in his 8 overs, managing to contain the scoring rate during his spell. However, the quick bowlers struggled to find consistent line and length, conceding over five and a half runs per over throughout the innings. The defending champions will undoubtedly look for a more clinical performance with the ball in their subsequent matches.