194/6 (46.5)
CR : 4.14
193/10 (49.5)
CR : 3.87
Sri Lanka U19 won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Chamika Heenatigala
1/1922(42)
Over 47
Sri Lanka U19 194/6
Chamarindu Nethsara8(9)
Chamika Heenatigala22(42)
Abdul Aziz1-38(9.5)
SL U19 won by 4 wickets
8:41 PM IST, 5:11 PM LOCAL TIME: Life in cricket is simple… chase the light, survive the shadows, and finish with a smile. Sri Lanka Under-19 held their nerve and chased down 194 to beat Afghanistan Under-19 by 4 wickets. Afghanistan fought hard for 193, with Osman Sadat anchoring and Arab adding late fireworks. But Sri Lanka replied with calm partnerships, a proper team effort, and a composed finish with 19 balls remaining. A match of patience, pressure, and perfectly-timed punches.
The first Powerplay? A little shake, then steady hands. Sri Lanka lost Viran Chamuditha early for 1, Abdul Aziz striking first. The score read a cautious 28/1 after 10, but those opening overs were about survival, not speed. Mahavithana and Wekunagoda played the straight bat, respected Arab’s movement, and made sure the chase didn’t wobble. Afghanistan’s bowlers asked questions… Sri Lanka chose discipline as the answer.
The middle phase? Partnerships started doing the talking. Mahavithana found rhythm, Wekunagoda found gaps, and Sri Lanka reached 50 in 12.5 overs, helped by a healthy chunk of extras. The second-wicket stand grew to 55 runs, a crucial bridge in a modest chase. Mahavithana’s 37 off 58 was gritty, but Nooristani Omarzai broke through, making it 60/2. Afghanistan sensed an opening… Sri Lanka kept walking through it calmly.
Did Afghanistan apply pressure with wickets in that middle stretch? Yes, they did. Vimath Dinsara, the captain, was stumped off Roohullah Arab for 6, and suddenly the chase had a small twist at 89/3. Drinks had Sri Lanka at 60/2, later slipping to 130/5 by 32.1 overs, showing how Afghanistan kept nibbling. Khatir Stanikzai removed Gamage for 25, and Wekunagoda fell for a top-scoring 43. The chase was under control… but not yet closed.
Who held the nerve when it mattered most? Chamika Heenatigala did, quietly and confidently. With wickets falling, he became Sri Lanka’s anchor, unbeaten on 22 off 42. Dulnith Sigera supported with a valuable 30 off 45, but Arab struck again to dismiss him - 182/6. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Arab (2/23) and Zadran (1/29), kept asking for miracles. Sri Lanka simply kept finding singles… and sanity.
Now rewind… Earlier, how did Afghanistan reach 193 in the first innings? It was a tale of one long fight. Osman Sadat played the anchor perfectly, scoring 61 off 107, holding things together while wickets fell around him. Afghanistan were 31/1 after the first Powerplay, never really accelerating. Miakhil added 43, and Jhamb’s late order looked thin until Arab provided a final spark. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept it tight, especially Chamuditha (2/20) and Heenatigala (1/19).
Roohullah Arab was Afghanistan’s late thunder. His 22 off 13 with two sixes dragged them close to 200. Extras helped too - 14 in total, but Sri Lanka’s run-outs and sharp catching ensured Afghanistan were bowled out in 49.5 overs. Mathulan took 2/62, Seneviratne struck early, and Nimsara chipped in as wickets tumbled in the final Powerplay. Afghanistan competed… but never truly escaped Sri Lanka’s grip.
The first Powerplay? A little shake, then steady hands. Sri Lanka lost Viran Chamuditha early for 1, Abdul Aziz striking first. The score read a cautious 28/1 after 10, but those opening overs were about survival, not speed. Mahavithana and Wekunagoda played the straight bat, respected Arab’s movement, and made sure the chase didn’t wobble. Afghanistan’s bowlers asked questions… Sri Lanka chose discipline as the answer.
The middle phase? Partnerships started doing the talking. Mahavithana found rhythm, Wekunagoda found gaps, and Sri Lanka reached 50 in 12.5 overs, helped by a healthy chunk of extras. The second-wicket stand grew to 55 runs, a crucial bridge in a modest chase. Mahavithana’s 37 off 58 was gritty, but Nooristani Omarzai broke through, making it 60/2. Afghanistan sensed an opening… Sri Lanka kept walking through it calmly.
Did Afghanistan apply pressure with wickets in that middle stretch? Yes, they did. Vimath Dinsara, the captain, was stumped off Roohullah Arab for 6, and suddenly the chase had a small twist at 89/3. Drinks had Sri Lanka at 60/2, later slipping to 130/5 by 32.1 overs, showing how Afghanistan kept nibbling. Khatir Stanikzai removed Gamage for 25, and Wekunagoda fell for a top-scoring 43. The chase was under control… but not yet closed.
Who held the nerve when it mattered most? Chamika Heenatigala did, quietly and confidently. With wickets falling, he became Sri Lanka’s anchor, unbeaten on 22 off 42. Dulnith Sigera supported with a valuable 30 off 45, but Arab struck again to dismiss him - 182/6. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Arab (2/23) and Zadran (1/29), kept asking for miracles. Sri Lanka simply kept finding singles… and sanity.
Now rewind… Earlier, how did Afghanistan reach 193 in the first innings? It was a tale of one long fight. Osman Sadat played the anchor perfectly, scoring 61 off 107, holding things together while wickets fell around him. Afghanistan were 31/1 after the first Powerplay, never really accelerating. Miakhil added 43, and Jhamb’s late order looked thin until Arab provided a final spark. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept it tight, especially Chamuditha (2/20) and Heenatigala (1/19).
Roohullah Arab was Afghanistan’s late thunder. His 22 off 13 with two sixes dragged them close to 200. Extras helped too - 14 in total, but Sri Lanka’s run-outs and sharp catching ensured Afghanistan were bowled out in 49.5 overs. Mathulan took 2/62, Seneviratne struck early, and Nimsara chipped in as wickets tumbled in the final Powerplay. Afghanistan competed… but never truly escaped Sri Lanka’s grip.
Player of the Match: Chamika Heenatigala
Chamika Heenatigala (Player of the Match): "I enjoy my bowling every time. I try to support the team. They scored a good total. I think we batted really well to get there. I enjoy my batting.
Sigera played a good supportive role to me. I tried to take the game deep into the last 10 overs. A crucial victory for us. We are happy."
Sigera played a good supportive role to me. I tried to take the game deep into the last 10 overs. A crucial victory for us. We are happy."
Time for the Post-Match Presentations...
Vimath Dinsara (Sri Lanka U19 Captain): "Thank you very much. I think all guys have done well. That one run out changed the things for us. I think it was good to restrict them within 200. Really good game.
I think we know our strength and weakness. Coaches also discuss about it. I think we did well. I think we want to win the next game against South Africa. It will be good for us."
I think we know our strength and weakness. Coaches also discuss about it. I think we did well. I think we want to win the next game against South Africa. It will be good for us."
Mahboob Khan (Afghanistan U-19 Captain): "It was a good game of cricket, but unfortunately, we couldn’t finish the way we wanted. With the bat, we had a plan and we were aiming for a stronger total, but we didn’t complete our innings well enough.
The run-outs were costly, and there was some miscommunication between the batters. Faisal and Mia Khil getting run out was a big blow, especially because Khil is a very important player for our team.
In the second innings, I thought we bowled well and showed good fight. But the difference today was our fielding. Throughout the tournament, our fielding has been very good, but today we were not at our best. We dropped three catches and missed a run-out opportunity, and those moments made a big difference in the result. Still, I’m proud of the way our bowlers competed.
Roohullah Arab, in particular, was excellent - two for 23. He bowled really well and kept us in the game.
Looking ahead, we still control our own destiny. We have one match left against Ireland, and Inshallah we will win. We will work hard, come back stronger, and give everything in that final game. If we win, we can reach the semifinal, and that is our focus now.”
The run-outs were costly, and there was some miscommunication between the batters. Faisal and Mia Khil getting run out was a big blow, especially because Khil is a very important player for our team.
In the second innings, I thought we bowled well and showed good fight. But the difference today was our fielding. Throughout the tournament, our fielding has been very good, but today we were not at our best. We dropped three catches and missed a run-out opportunity, and those moments made a big difference in the result. Still, I’m proud of the way our bowlers competed.
Roohullah Arab, in particular, was excellent - two for 23. He bowled really well and kept us in the game.
Looking ahead, we still control our own destiny. We have one match left against Ireland, and Inshallah we will win. We will work hard, come back stronger, and give everything in that final game. If we win, we can reach the semifinal, and that is our focus now.”
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator, Saptak Sanyal, and scorer Ghanendra Singh Thakur. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!