Afghanistan defeated Australia before going down to Sri Lanka in their rain-hit Under-19 World Cup warm-up games. Photo: X/Afghanistan Cricket Board

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the sixth match of ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, wherein Afghanistan take on South Africa at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia on Friday (January 16). The two teams kick off their respective campaigns in the tournament proper today, having faced contrasting results in the preceding warm-ups. The Afghan Colts defeated Australia before going down to Sri Lanka in rain-hit tune-ups, while the Proteas lost to the Lankans before an abandoned game against Australia. Afghanistan hold the head-to-head edge over South Africa, having won three of the last five face-offs between the two sides. Follow the live cricket score and updates from the AFG U19 vs SA U19 Youth ODI.

LIVE UPDATES

16 Jan 2026, 02:21:28 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: AFG 64/1 (16)

Khalid Ahmadzai (28 not out off 56) has gone slow but steady along with a bit more busy Faisal Khan (18 not out off 24). The duo is trying to weather the early Proteas storm, knowing that conditions should ease out eventually and they could get a chance to cash in then.

16 Jan 2026, 01:41:37 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: AFG 32/1 (8)

Buyanda Majola provides the breakthrough for South Africa! It is an excellent delivery, on a length outside the off stump, that draws Osman Sadat’s edge and goes straight to the keeper. Afghanistan lose their first wicket in the eighth over and that brings Faisal Khan to the middle.

16 Jan 2026, 01:06:47 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: First Ball!

Left-arm seamer JJ Basson takes the new ball for South Africa. He makes a good start against Afghan openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai, with just one leg bye and one wide coming off the first over.

16 Jan 2026, 12:42:36 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: Playing XIs

South Africa U19: Jorich Van Schalkwyk, Adnaan Lagadien, Muhammed Bulbulia (c), Jason Rowles, Armaan Manack, Paul James, Daniel Bosman, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (wk), Corne Botha, JJ Basson, Buyanda Majola

Afghanistan U19: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (wk/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani Omarzai, Abdul Aziz, Wahidullah Zadran, Hafeez Zadran

16 Jan 2026, 12:41:47 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: Toss Update

South Africa have won the toss and have opted to field first against Afghanistan.

16 Jan 2026, 12:23:03 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: Squads

South Africa U19: Jorich Van Schalkwyk, Adnaan Lagadien, Muhammed Bulbulia (wk/c), Jason Rowles, Armaan Manack, Paul James, Daniel Bosman, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Buyanda Majola, Corne Botha, JJ Basson, Michael Kruiskamp, Enathi Kitshini, Ntando Soni

Afghanistan U19: Osman Sadat, Khalid Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan (wk/c), Hafeez Zadran, Abdul Aziz, Khatir Stanikzai, Salam Khan, Roohullah Arab, Azizullah Miakhil, Zaitullah Shaheen, Nazifullah Amiri, Nooristani Omarzai, Wahidullah Zadran

16 Jan 2026, 12:16:54 pm IST

Afghanistan U19 Vs South Africa U19 Live Score: Greetings!

Hey all, welcome to our continued live coverage of the ICC U-19 World Cup. Afghanistan Colts meet South Africa in match 6 of the tournament, and we will bring to you the latest updates from the encounter. Stay with us.