Afghanistan's brutal self-assessment after first U19WC loss
The lofty expectations of this ambitious Afghanistan side have been laid bare.
Afghanistan didn't come to the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup just to make up the numbers.
They have proven their bona fides so far, having won all three group games to enter the Super Six phase full of belief. So while they remain firmly in the mix for a semi-finals spot, one of the team's star players didn't shy away from their disappointment after going down to Sri Lanka by four wickets in Windhoek.
Resilient Sri Lanka end Afghanistan's unbeaten run | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Sri Lanka overcame Afghanistan by four wickets.
Batting first, Afghanistan produced an error-riddled display that asked too much of Osman Sadat (61 off 107). The opener batted for 40 overs, but his top-order teammates all struck out, creating compounding amounts of pressure as their innings unfolded.
Faisal Khan fought for his 22 off 34 balls, but offered an honest assessment of his team's batting performance post-game.
"(Sri Lanka) bowled very well, (there were) a few mistakes from our batters, so we didn't (build) a partnership with Osman (Sadat)," Faisal said post-game.
"(Osman) played very well until the end, but unfortunately we did not bat very well.
"We are very disappointed (with) today's match."
Mahboob's excellent glove-work | U19 CWC 2026
Mahboob Khan stumped his opposite number Vimath Dinsara.
It ends the Namibian chapter of their tournament. Afghanistan now travel to Zimbabwe in an increasingly important clash with Ireland. Their fate likely rests on that result, with Group 1's chasing pack of Sri Lanka and the West Indies hot on their heels (with Australia in top spot), with only two teams progressing to the knockout stage.
But Afghanistan are bullish about their chances to adjust quickly to the Harare conditions, having spent time in Zimbabwe as part of their World Cup preparations.
"We had a series with Pakistan and Zimbabwe (before the tournament), so we are in form there and we will look forward to (try and) win that match (against) Ireland," Faisal Khan continued.
A win all-but secures them a place in the semi-finals, with their net run rate far superior to many of their Group 1 rivals.