The International Cricket Council (ICC) U/19 Men’s Cricket World Cup came to a close on Monday at the Namibia Cricket Ground, with a Super Six match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, with the latter not only winning the coin toss and bowling first but also securing a four-wicket victory.
A carefully constructed chase saw Sri Lanka battle to a four-wicket win over previously unbeaten Afghanistan in their first Super Six encounter.
After being put into bat, Afghanistan lost Khalid Ahmadzai early, while Faisal Khan was then run out for 22.
From 50 for one, they were quickly reduced to 64 for four, but Osman Sadat and Aziz Mia Khil steadied the ship with a 76-run partnership. Having lost wickets, they had to drop the run-rate; however, before Viran Chamuditha finally had Sadat bowled. Khil followed shortly after, one of three run-outs in the innings as Afghanistan were bowled out for 193, Rohullah Arab scoring some valuable late runs with his unbeaten 22.
Chamuditha could not match his bowling exploits with the bat, falling in the first over, but Dimantha Mahavithana and Senuja Wekunagoda put on 55 for the second wicket.
Nooristani Omarzai got the breakthrough, and wickets fell at regular intervals even as the runs flowed steadily.
When Wekunagoda was the fifth Sri Lankan to depart, the game looked finely balanced, although the required rate was not an issue.
Chamika Heentigala and Dulnith Sigera took their time initially but then upped the pace when the target was within sight.
While Sigera fell to Arab, Heentigala saw Sri Lanka home.
The World Cup continues in Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, where the rest of the Super Six and Knock Out stages continue before the champions are officially crowned on 6 February 2026.