Afghanistan U19 vs Sri Lanka U19, 4th Match, Super Six Group 1 (A,D), ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

Sri Lanka U19 won by 4 wkts

AFGU19

193(49.5)

SLU19

194/6(46.5)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Chamika Heenatigala

That is a wrap of this game. Do remember to check this space for all the latest in cricket. Cheers!!

Mahboob Khan | Afghanistan skipper: Our plan was 250, but we could not get there. Run-outs are always key, we lost a few through run-outs. Today our fielding is not upto the mark, we missed 3 catches and 2 run-outs, we are hoping to come back strong in the next match. The spinners have bowled really well. We want to win our remaining games and make it to the semis.

Vimath Dinsara | Sri Lanka skipper: All guys fielded very well and the run-outs were really crucial and turning point of the game. We wanted to restrict them below 200 and we felt confident at the halfway mark. We wanted to correct over weakness from the last game and happy that we did well. We want to win our next game against South Africa and make it to the semis later.

Chamika Heenatigala | Player of the Match: I enjoy my bowling every time and my plan was to support the team plans. We batted really well and I enjoyed my batting. My plan was to bat till the end and it was a crucial game and really happy that we won the game.

17:11 local, 15:11 GMT, 20:41 IST: Sri Lanka have bounced back strongly from their heavy defeat against Australia in the previous league game, putting in a composed all-round performance to register a much-needed win over Afghanistan. After opting to bowl, they applied the brakes early, maintaining a tight line and length and never allowing Afghanistan to build momentum until the 40th over. Although Afghanistan managed to lift the scoring rate in the final 10 overs, their sluggish start proved costly. In reply, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback with the loss of Viran in the opening over, but Dimantha Mahavithana and Senuja Wekunagoda steadied the chase with valuable contributions. Later, Kavija Gamage and Dulnith Sigera played sensible cameos, striking timely boundaries to break the sequence of dot balls and ease the required rate pressure. Afghanistan bowled with discipline for the most part, but lapses in the field hurt their cause. Overall, both sides experienced their share of highs and lows, but Sri Lanka showed greater composure in key moments to seal the victory with three overs to spare. Stick around for the post-match reactions...

46.5

Abdul Aziz to Chamarindu Nethsara, 2 runs, slogs the pull over wide long-on and that is enough to seal the deal. Sri Lanka win by 4 wickets

46.4

Abdul Aziz to Chamika Heenatigala, leg byes, 1 run, misses the pull and gets it off the thigh pad to the left of the keeper for a quick single

46.3

Abdul Aziz to Chamarindu Nethsara, 1 run, short of length just outside off, Nethsara hops and steers it to the right of third man

46.2

Abdul Aziz to Chamarindu Nethsara, FOUR, just one hit away now! Chamarindu Nethsara hops and flays the short ball up and over backward point. Excellent timing and placement...

46.1

Abdul Aziz to Chamarindu Nethsara, no run, dug in short just outside off, Nethsara fends it off the splice into the off-side

Abdul Aziz [9.0-2-31-1] is back into the attack

0 1 0 0 L1 0 (2 runs)

SLU19 186-6

Chamika Heenatigala

22(41)

Chamarindu Nethsara

1(5)

Nooristani Omarzai

8-0-47-1

45.6

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamika Heenatigala, no run, short outside off, Heenatigala mistimes the pull to the left of mid-wicket

45.5

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamarindu Nethsara, leg byes, 1 run, looks to pull and gets it off the thigh pad to the right of square leg

45.4

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamarindu Nethsara, no run, back of a length on middle and leg, Nethsara hops and fends it into the leg-side

45.3

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamarindu Nethsara, no run, slower length delivery outside off, Nethsara makes room and looks to bash it down the ground. Beaten for lack of pace...

45.2

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamika Heenatigala, 1 run, short of length outside off, Heenatigala drops it in front of mid-off and rushes through for a quick single

45.1

Nooristani Omarzai to Chamika Heenatigala, no run, short and angling away outside off, Heenatigala looks to cut and gets beaten on the outside edge

1 0 W 0 1 1 (3 runs)

SLU19 184-6

Chamika Heenatigala

21(38)

Chamarindu Nethsara

1(2)

Roohullah Arab

10-2-23-2

44.6

Roohullah Arab to Chamika Heenatigala, 1 run, short on the stumps, punched down the ground to the right of long-on