Australia go three from three as Bangladesh clinch qualification
Media release
Some sensational bowling set Australia up for a third win from three matches at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 while Bangladesh booked their place in the Super Six.
William Byrom was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, taking five wickets as they bowled out Sri Lanka for just 58 and cruised to top spot in Group A.
Meanwhile, in Harare, Bangladesh overcame the USA by seven wickets as skipper Azizul Hakim Takim scored 64 in what was effectively a winner-takes-all battle for qualification.
Aussie seamers set up thumping win
William Byrom’s brilliant five-wicket haul set up an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to top Group A.
With both teams having won their first two fixtures, this was a straight shootout for top spot and Australia seized control almost from the off.
Two wickets in three balls from Charles Lachmund (2/19) in the third over had Sri Lanka in trouble, before Byrom took over.
He proceeded to take four wickets to reduce Sri Lanka to 30 for six, before Hayden Schiller (1/11) and Kasey Barton (2/13), took up the reins.
Chamika Heentigala was one of just two players to reach double figures, dismissed for 14, while Byrom returned to take his fifth and wrap up the innings on 58 all out.
Australia lost Will Malajczuk for four in the first over, bowled by Rasith Nimsara, but from there, Nitesh Samuel (19 not out) and Steven Hogan (28 not out), managed the chase comfortably.
The pair added 58 to see Australia home, with the winning runs coming off the final delivery of the 12th over.
Bangladesh master chase against the USA
A well-organised chase saw Bangladesh to a seven-wicket victory over the USA, securing their place in the Super Six as a result.
Both teams came into the game after defeats to India and washouts against New Zealand, meaning this was effectively a knockout game with the winner going through.
After being put into bat, the USA lost Amrinder Gill and Arjun Mahesh inside the first three overs.
Sahil Garg (35) and Utkarsh Srivastava (39) responded with a 51-run stand, before a couple of quick wickets for Shahriar Ahmed (2/32).
Iqbal Hossain (3/41) removed the skipper Srivastava and the USA looked in big trouble when they slipped to 128 for seven.
However, a great rearguard effort from Adnit Jhamb, who ended up on 68 not out, allowed them to post a reasonable total, bowled out on the final ball for 199.
Zawad Abrar batted with plenty of intent in the chase, cracking 47 off just 42 balls before he fell to end a 78-run opening stand.
Fellow opener Rifat Beg (30) followed shortly afterwards but skipper Azizul Hakim Takim took up the baton along with Kalam Siddiki Aleen (30 not out).
The pair added 88 before Azizul was dismissed for 64, with 24 runs still required. Rizan Hossan, who had earlier taken two for 27, wasted no time, hitting 20 off just 16 deliveries to wrap up the win.
Scores in brief
Sri Lanka v Australia – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Sri Lanka 58 all out 18.5 overs (Chamika Heentigala 14; William Byrom 5/14, Kasey Barton 2/13)
Australia 62/1 in 12 overs (Steven Hogan 28 not out, Nitesh Samuel 19 not out; Rasith Nimsara 1/20)
Result: Australia win by nine wickets
Bangladesh v USA – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
USA 199 all out in 50 overs (Adnit Jhamb 68 not out, Utkarsh Srivastava 39; Iqbal Hossain 3/41, Rizan Hossan 2/27)
Bangladesh 201/3 in 41.3 overs (Azizul Hakim Takim 64, Zawad Abrar 47; Ritvik Appidi 1/27, Sahil Garg 1/32)
Result: Bangladesh win by seven wickets