The dust has settled on the Super Six stage, and the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe. From a field of sixteen, we are down to the final four: Win Adda Australia, England, India, and Afghanistan.

With heavyweights colliding and a historic underdog story unfolding, the "Big Guns" are indeed out in force. Here is everything you need to know about the knockout rounds.

The Lineup: Who, When, and Where?

Semi-Final 1: The Ashes Rivals Clash (Live Update)

Australia vs England

In a high-octane encounter at Bulawayo, the rivalry that transcends age groups took center stage. Both teams entered the semi-finals undefeated, but only one could reach the showpiece event.

• The Heroics: England captain Thomas Rew played a definitive leader's knock, smashing a brilliant 110 off 107 balls. Supported by Caleb Falconer (40), Rew anchored England to a competitive total of 277/7.

• The Chase: Australia's captain Oliver Peake fought a lone battle with a half-century, but England’s bowling unit, led by the tournament’s top wicket-taker Manny Lumsden, proved too clinical.

• The Result: England emerged victorious, securing the first spot in the final and ending the defending champions' hope for a consecutive title.

Semi-Final 2: The Giant-Killers vs The Powerhouse

India vs Afghanistan

While England waits in the final, the second semi-final features a fascinating contrast in styles and history.

India: The Five-Time Champions

Ayush Mhatre’s side has looked like a well-oiled machine. After a tense win over arch-rivals Pakistan to seal their knockout spot, the "Boys in Blue" are aiming for a record-extending sixth title.

• Players to Watch: 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has provided explosive starts, while Vedant Trivedi has shown immense grit under pressure in the middle order.

Afghanistan: The Rise Continues

Afghanistan is no longer just a "feel-good" story; they are a genuine cricketing force. Their journey to the semi-finals was highlighted by Faisal Khan’s historic 163—the highest individual score by an Afghan in U19 WC history.

• The X-Factor: Their ability to spin a web around opponents. On the Harare pitch, which has shown variable bounce, their spinners could pose a massive threat to the Indian batting lineup.

Key Stats & What to Watch For

1. The Pitch Factor: Harare and Bulawayo have both started to show signs of wear, favoring spinners and seamers who can exploit "variable bounce."

2. Leading the Race: England’s Ben Mayes leads the run charts (375 runs), closely followed by Afghanistan’s Faisal Khan. The battle for the Golden Bat is as alive as the hunt for the trophy.

3. Pressure Management: For many of these teenagers, this is the biggest game of their lives. In the U19 format, the team that handles the "powerplay" nerves usually dictates the tempo.

How to Catch the Action

• India: Star Sports Network (TV) & JioHotstar (Digital)

• UK: Sky Sports

• Australia: Amazon Prime Video

• USA: Willow TV

The 2026 U19 World Cup has already given us record-breaking centuries and nail-biting finishes. As the semi-finals "lock and load," we are just days away from crowning the next generation of world champions.