U19 World Cup: Chamuditha's 110 ensures Sri Lanka keep SF hopes alive

Viran Chamuditha produced a match-winning century as Sri Lanka comfortably chased down 262 to defeat South Africa by five wickets with four overs to spare in a crucial U19 World Cup Super Sixes encounter at Bulawayo, keeping their semi-final hopes flickering while effectively ending South Africa's tournament aspirations. After Jorich Van Schalkwyk's sublime 116 had lifted South Africa to a competitive score, Chamuditha's sparkling 110 off 94 balls formed the backbone of Sri Lanka's successful pursuit, which they achieved in 46 overs to claim a vital two points. The win provisionally takes Sri Lanka to second spot in Group 1 but they'll need Ireland to beat Afghanistan to stay there and qualify for the semifinal.

Having opted to bat first, South Africa's innings revolved around Van Schalkwyk's exceptional knock, with the opener showing remarkable maturity as he anchored the innings with intelligent strokeplay, finding the boundary 13 times and clearing it twice during his 130-ball stay at the crease. Van Schalkwyk found an able ally in Adnaan Lagadien as the pair constructed a solid 96-run opening stand, with Lagadien contributing a brisk 46 off 57 deliveries before leg-spinner Vigneshwaran Akash (4 for 46) provided the breakthrough, bowling him with a cunningly disguised googly that snuck through the gate to rattle middle stump.

Akash proved to be Sri Lanka's bowling hero, claiming a magnificent four-wicket haul that derailed South Africa's middle order, with his variations bamboozling the South African batsmen throughout his 10-over spell. Captain Muhammed Bulbulia fell for just 9 when another fizzing googly shaved off stump, even as Van Schalkwyk continued to accumulate runs methodically at the other end, bringing up his century off 125 balls.

Kavija Gamage's off-spin accounted for Bandile Mbatha with a ripper that turned sharply to hit the top of leg stump, and when Akash finally dismissed Van Schalkwyk in the 41st over with a full toss that was scooped up by a diving Senuja Wekunagoda at deep midwicket, South Africa were 207/5. Paul James provided some late impetus with an unbeaten 37 off 36, while Michael Kruiskamp smashed a quickfire 21 off 15 to ensure South Africa crossed the 260-mark.

Sri Lanka's chase got off to a shaky start when Dimantha Mahavithana edged Michael Kruiskamp to second slip with just 23 on the board, but what followed was a batting masterclass from Chamuditha, who took the attack to the South African bowlers from the outset. Chamuditha found the ideal partner in Wekunagoda, and together they orchestrated a commanding 143-run partnership for the second wicket that effectively sealed the contest, with Chamuditha racing to his fifty off just 47 balls, combining elegant drives with powerful pulls, while Wekunagoda played the perfect supporting role with a measured 48.

The opener's century came up in 90 deliveries as he peppered the boundary with 11 fours and a maximum, and by the time drinks arrived at 90/1 after 15 overs, Sri Lanka were cruising with Chamuditha already on 55. The partnership was finally broken when Corne Botha induced an inside edge from Wekunagoda onto his stumps at 166, and Botha struck again two overs later, drawing an inside edge from Chamuditha that flew to the keeper, ending a magnificent 138-minute innings that had turned the game decisively in Sri Lanka's favor.

At 191/3 with 71 runs still required, South Africa sensed an opening, but captain Vimath Dinsara steadied the ship with a composed 32 off 38 balls featuring four boundaries, adding 46 runs with Kavija Gamage to push Sri Lanka closer to the target. Kruiskamp struck again when he had Gamage caught behind, and Paul James removed Dinsara with 25 runs still needed, but any hopes of a South African fightback were quickly extinguished by Chamika Heenatigala and Dulnith Sigera, who calmly knocked off the remaining runs with Sigera finishing things off in style with a six.

Brief scores: South Africa 261/7 (Jorich Van Schalkwyk 116, Adnaan Lagadien 46; Vigneshwaran Akash 4-46) lost to Sri Lanka 265/5 in 46 overs (Viran Chamuditha 110, Senuja Wekunagoda 48; Corne Botha 2-37) by five wickets.