Sri Lanka edge Afghanistan as warm-up matches conclude
Media release
Sri Lanka held off Afghanistan in a thriller while rain denied Australia the chance to chase down South Africa’s total in the final warm-up matches for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.
Wednesday’s games were both played in Windhoek and the weather just about held off for Sri Lanka to beat Afghanistan by seven runs.
Afghanistan were chasing a revised target of 118 and, for much of the innings, they appeared set to get there but fell narrowly short at the end.
Meanwhile, Australia were on 122 for two in pursuit of 256 to beat South Africa before their innings was cut short.
GAMAGE AND SIGERA SET-UP SRI LANKA WIN
Only five batters reached double figures in Sri Lanka’s innings and just two made more than 20, but Dulnith Sigera and Kavija Gamage’s 170-run partnership proved key in their second warm-up victory.
The pair narrowly missed out on centuries but steered Sri Lanka to 266 for eight in their innings.
Sigera, opening the batting, was the more cautious as he watched Dimantha Mahavithana (16), Senuja Wekunagoda (18) and captain Vimath Dinsara (0) fall cheaply but when Gamage came to the crease, runs began to flow.
They batted until the 48th over, when Sigera fell for 95 and Gamage for 97 – the latter run out by Uzairullah Niazai – and that sparked a late-innings collapse as Sri Lanka went from 241 for three to 266 for eight in just 18 balls.
The wet weather reduced Afghanistan’s target to 118 and an 81-run partnership between Khalid Ahmadzai (57 not out) and Faisal Shinozada (35) looked to get them there.
However, a couple of late wickets meant they fell just short, finishing on 110 for three from 23.5 overs.
Afghanistan begin their tournament against South Africa in Windhoek on Friday, while Sri Lanka play Japan on Saturday
ROWLES STANDS OUT FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Jason Rowles hit a brilliant century for South Africa, but rain appeared, to prevent an Australia victory at United Cricket Ground.
South Africa, batting first, made 255 for nine in their innings and much of that was down to Rowles, who went to the crease with the score at one for two in the second over.
He hit six fours and seven sixes in his 109, which was supported by Paul James (46), Armaan Manack (26) and Daniel Bosman (26).
In reply, Australia were motoring towards the target thanks to a blistering 47-ball 85 from opener Will Malajczuk, but their innings was paused on 122 for two after 17 overs.
The two teams start their tournament on Friday, with Australia facing Ireland and South Africa opening up against Afghanistan.
Scores in brief:
Afghanistan v Sri Lanka at Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Sri Lanka 266/8 in 50 overs (Kavija Gamage 97, Dulnith Sigera 95; Khatir Stanikzai 3/36, Rohullah Arab 1/21)
Afghanistan 110/3 (rev) in 23.5 overs, T:118 (Khalid Ahmadzai 57 not out, Faisal Shinozada 35; Vigneshwaran Akash 1/8, Malintha Silva 1/11)
Result: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by seven runs (DLS method)
Australia v South Africa at United Cricket Ground, Windhoek
South Africa 255/9 in 50 overs (Jason Rowles 109, Paul James 46; Ben Gordon 2/22, John James 2/29)
Australia 122/2 in 17 overs (Will Malajczuk 85, Steven Hogan 14 not out; Michael Kruiskamp 1/19, Bayanda Majola 1/25)
Result: Match abandoned