Opener Viran Chamuditha struck a magnificent century while leg-spinner Vigneshwaran Akash claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka registered a five-wicket victory over South Africa in their ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Six encounter in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, yesterday.
Chasing 262 for victory, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback with Dimantha Mahavithana departing for four. However, Chamuditha and Senuja Wekunagoda rebuilt the innings with an impressive 143-run stand for the second wicket. Chamuditha led the charge with a fluent 110 off 94 deliveries, smashing 13 fours and a six to record his second tournament century. Wekunagoda provided solid support, narrowly missing a half-century with 48 from 63 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
Captain Vimath Dinsara chipped in with 32 off 38 balls, while Dulnith Sigera (15) and Chamika Heenatigala (20 not out) added vital late runs in a 28-run partnership, guiding Sri Lanka to 265 for five with four overs remaining.
Earlier, South Africa posted 261 for seven after choosing to bat first, thanks largely to a strong opening partnership. Jorich van Schalkwyk anchored the innings with a well-compiled 116 off 110 balls, featuring 13 fours and two sixes, while Adnaan Lagadien contributed 46 as the pair added 96 for the first wicket. Akash was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler, returning figures of 4 for 46 from his 10 overs, with off-spinner Kavija Gamage providing support with 2 for 61.
With this win, Sri Lanka now await the result of today’s Super Six match between Ireland and Afghanistan. An Ireland victory would confirm Sri Lanka’s place in the semi-finals.
Scorecard
South Africa U19 – 261/7 in 50 overs
(Jorich van Schalkwyk 116, Adnaan Lagadien 46; Vigneshwaran Akash 4/46, Kavija Gamage 2/61)
Sri Lanka U19 – 265/5 in 46 overs
(Viran Chamuditha 110, Senuja Wekunagoda 48, Vimath Dinsara 32; Michael Kruiskamp 2/59, Corne Botha 2/37)
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