Afghanistan cruise into semi-finals unbeaten as Sri Lanka suffer 106-run setback
Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Under-19 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament suffered a major setback as they crashed to a comprehensive 106-run defeat against Afghanistan in their final Group B encounter in Oman on Monday.
The defeat ended Sri Lanka’s campaign in disappointing fashion, leaving them out of contention for a semi-final place after managing just one victory in three group matches. Afghanistan, meanwhile, completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign to secure their place in the last four.
Batting first after Sri Lanka elected to field, Afghanistan posted a competitive 275 runs in 49.5 overs, built around a magnificent century by Subhan Zakhail.
Zakhail produced an impressive innings of 107 off 111 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries and a six to anchor the Afghan batting effort. He received valuable support from Abidullah Nadarjan, who scored 55 off 64 balls, while Shah Faisal Rahimi contributed 33 and Tahir Sarwary added a quickfire 32.
Sri Lanka’s Sethmika Seneviratne was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 44 runs, while Vigneshwaran Akash picked up two wickets.
Chasing 276 for victory, Sri Lanka suffered a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 41 runs as Afghanistan’s pace attack exposed their batting weaknesses.
Kithma Withanapathirana provided some resistance with an aggressive 58 off 48 deliveries, including eight fours and two sixes. However, the lack of meaningful partnerships at the other end left Sri Lanka with an uphill task.
Noor Ali Niazi spearheaded the Afghan bowling attack with an impressive four-wicket haul for 35 runs, while Amir Hamza and Sohail Khan claimed two wickets each.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 169 in 34.1 overs.
The result marked a disappointing end to a campaign in which much had been expected from the young Sri Lankan side.
Afghanistan and Bangladesh progressed to the semi-finals from Group B, leaving Sri Lanka to reflect on a tournament in which their ambitions of lifting a maiden Under-19 Asia Cup title remained unfulfilled.
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