All-round Ghani helps Afghanistan U19 to victory

Usman Ghani took 3 for 21 to help Afghanistan U19 bowl Sri Lanka U19 out for 114, before returning to open the innings and score a 14-ball 27 as Afghanistan registered a five-wicket win in the seventh-place playoff of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup on Thursday (February 27).

Sri Lanka was reduced to 34 for 3 in 6.4 overs after Kusal Mendis, the captain, elected to bat at the ICC Academy Ground No. 2 in Dubai. Priyamal Perera and Hashan Ramanayake then added 36 runs for the fourth wicket in 37 balls, but Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for 44 runs after that, and the innings ended in just 34.3 overs.

Ghani was ably supported by Sayed Shirzad, who opened the bowling and finished with 3 for 33 off nine overs. Sharafuddin Ashraf, the left-arm spinner, returned 2 for 30 off 8.3 overs.

Ghani then showed his ability with the bat, scoring 27 in a 28-run opening stand with Shahidullah, which came in just 2.5 overs, to set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase.

However, Anuk Fernando, the left-arm pacer, removed both openers, along with Mujtaba, in quick succession as Afghainstan slipped to 42 for 3.

But a 71-run stand between Ihsanullah and Hashmatullah Shaidi following that meant that there was no route back for the Sri Lankans, and Afghanistan went past the line with 172 balls to spare.

Fernando was the lone star on the field for Sri Lanka, with his nine overs fetching him 4 for 50. AK Tyronne, the offspinner, accounted for the other wicket.