Afghanistan suffered their first defeat in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup losing against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first in Windhoek, Namibia. Their decision paid off as pacer Sethmika Seneviratne claimed the early wicket of Khalid Ahmadzai.
The Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their grip in what was a formidable display to dismiss the Afghans for 193 in 49.5 overs.
Osman Sadat (61) and Aziz Mia Khil (43) made important contributions for Afghanistan. While opener Sadat built a patient innings, ticking the scoreboard, Mia Khil took the attack to Sri Lanka as he struck five boundaries en route a 43-run innings.
For Sri Lanka, left-arm spinner Viran Chamuditha finished with impressive figures of 2/20 off his 10 overs.
Defending a modest total, Afghanistan found success in the first over with Abdul Aziz snapping the wicket of Chamuditha. Sri Lanka bounced back from the early wicket through Dimantha Mahavithana (37) and Senuja Wekunagoda (43). However, the Afghans gave them a tough contest.
It was all-rounder Chamika Heenatigala (22 not out), who navigated the team through a nervy final phase, taking them home in 46.5 overs.
The result means Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and West Indies all have four points each in the Super Six. (Newswire)
