ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026: Warm-ups Day 6 wrap
Rain-hit fixtures in Namibia gave four teams one last run-out before the tournament begins.
Australia, South Africa, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka were the four teams in action on the final day of warm-ups in Namibia, as rain-affected matches brought the practice phase to a close on the eve of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Australia v South Africa, United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, but their innings got off to a nightmare start. Australia struck early and often, with Charles Lachmund cleaning up Jorich van Schalkwyk for a duck before Ben Gordon’s sharp pace accounted for Adnaan Lagadien (0) and captain Muhammed Bulbulia (7). The young Proteas were left reeling at 12/3 inside six overs.
Jason Rowles and Armaan Manack (26) steadied the ship with a crucial 86-run partnership, restoring some calm to the innings. The stand was broken when Naden Cooray struck at the end of the 24th over to dismiss Manack.
Rowles continued to anchor South Africa’s recovery and went on to produce a composed 109 from 110 balls, striking six fours and seven sixes, before Aryan Sharma brought his innings to an end. Daniel Bosman and Paul James (46) then added 48 runs to push South Africa past the 200-run mark, before Will Byrom dismissed Bosman (26) to swing momentum back Australia’s way.
From there, Australia tightened the screws, with John James (2/29) leading the charge through the lower order to claim two off the three wickets and wrap up the innings. Eventually, South Africa finished at 255/9 after 50 overs.
Australia’s reply was led by an explosive opening stand between Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel, who put on 54 runs before Samuel was dismissed for 7 by Bayanda Majola.
Malajczuk continued to dominate the South African attack, racing to a superb 85 off 47 balls, an innings that included seven fours and eight sixes, before being bowled by Michael Kruiskamp. Captain Oliver Peake then joined Steven Hogan at the crease as Australia looked to press forward.
With Australia well placed on 122/2 after 17 overs, rain halted the play.
The weather did not seem to get better and hence the match was abandoned.
Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Sri Lanka chose to bat after winning the toss, but their top order was tested early when Wahidullah Zadran struck at the end of fourth over to remove Dimantha Mahavithana for 16.
Dulnith Sigera then took control of the innings, combining with Senuja Wekunagoda in a 43-run stand before the latter was dismissed for 18. Sri Lanka’s captain Vimath Dinsara followed soon after, leaving the side in some trouble at 71/3 in the 15th over.
The momentum shifted decisively when Sigera was joined by Kavija Gamage, as the pair stitched together a massive 170-run partnership that transformed Sri Lanka’s innings. Sigera looked set for a century before Khatir Stanikzai struck on the first ball of the 48th over to end his knock on a superb 95.
Sri Lanka were unable to fully capitalise the final two overs. Gamage fell just three runs short of a well-deserved hundred after being run out, before Stanikzai returned in the final over to pick up two more wickets, finishing with the figures of 3/36 as Afghanistan restricted their Asian counterparts to 266.
Afghanistan’s chase got off to a shaky start when Osman Sadat was dismissed for 3 by Rasith Nimsara at the beginning of the third over. However, Khalid Ahmadzai and Faisal Shinozada steadied the innings with an 81-run partnership for the second wicket, bringing much-needed stability after the early loss.
Shinozada was eventually dismissed for 35 by Malintha Silva in the 16th over, but Ahmadzai continued to anchor the innings and went on to raise a well-composed half-century (57* off 74). Sri Lanka remained in control with disciplined bowling before rain interrupted play with Afghanistan on 110/3 in 23.4 overs.
The play did not resume further and Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 7 runs (by DLS method).
