Afghanistan U19 Vs Sri Lanka U19 Highlights, World Cup: Senuja Wekunagoda's Controlled Knock Drives Lankans to Victory

Afghanistan U19 Squad: Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan(w/c), Nazifullah Amiri, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani Omarzai, Roohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran, Salam Khan, Azizullah Miakhil, Zaitullah Shaheen, Aqil Khan, Abdul Aziz

Sri Lanka U19 Squad: Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Vimath Dinsara(c), Kavija Gamage, Chamika Heenatigala, Aadham Hilmy(w), Sethmika Seneviratne, Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash, Kugathas Mathulan, Senuja Wekunagoda, Malintha Silva, Chamarindu Nethsara, Jeewantha Sriram

Sri Lanka U19 have won the toss and have opted to field.

Sri Lanka U19: Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Senuja Wekunagoda, Vimath Dinsara(c), Kavija Gamage, Chamika Heenatigala, Dulnith Sigera, Chamarindu Nethsara(w), Sethmika Seneviratne, Rasith Nimsara, Kugathas Mathulan

Afghanistan U19: Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Shinozada, Uzairullah Niazai, Mahboob Khan(w/c), Azizullah Miakhil, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani Omarzai, Roohullah Arab, Wahidullah Zadran, Abdul Aziz

Match underway with AFG batting first and will look to start on a positive note against the Lankan pace attack.

AFG U-19 side have started very watchfully despite losing a wicket to Sri Lanka. Khalid Ahmadzai was the last wicket to fall for the Afghanistan side on 5.

Afghanistan are going 3 runs per over and that is down to a superb bowling performance from the SL U19 bowlers. Afghanistan have not scored freely as Sri Lanka have contained them inside the 10 overs.

AFG U19: 31/1 (10 Overs)

Afghanistan batters are in a spot of bother, not because of the wickets but with the scoring rate. SL have restricted the scoring rate of the AFG U19 batters, with only three boundaries have been scored in this period.

AFG U19: 51/2 (15 Overs)

Afghanistan find themselves in dire strait with four wickets and yet to click into gear. Going at 2.75 rpo, Afghan batters are finding it tough to score and SL U19 bowlers have stifled them with their accurate lengths.

AFG U19: 67/4 (24 Overs)

After the fourth wicket went down, Afghanistan needed a partnership and Osman Sadat has been trying to do exactly that along with Azizullah Miakhil. Afghanistan have had a quiet spell of play where they didn't lose any wickets. Sadat know he will have to bat deep if Afghanistan has to climb up to a challenging total.

AFG 81/4 (30)

Osman Sadat has brilliantly batted so far and helped Afghanistan negotiate a tricky phase where they were down by four wickets. He is leading charge and along with Azizullah Miakhil as support, the duo is stitching a steady partnership here. Sri Lanka bowlers will start feeling pressure now.

AFG 112/4 (35)

Excellent knock from Osman Sadat. Entered the crease at a situation when Afghanistan were struggling with bat and then carried the game forward giving time to others to settle in. Didn't give looseners to bowlers and eventually completes his half-century. Quality batting on display.

AFG 140/4 (40)

Osman Sadat departs and with it Afghanistan's hardships resume. Viran Chamuditha cleans him up and following it Afghanistan suffer a collapse with Viran Chamuditha and Viran Chamuditha dismissing Azizullah Miakhil and Azizullah Miakhil. In five overs, only 15 runs were scored and Afghanistan are now in trouble.

After a spell of five overs where Afghanistan barely score any runs, Roohullah Arab plays a short but impactful cameo to drive them to a total near 200. Khatir Stanikzai supports him for a little while but Afghanistan suffer a collapse once again in the last over and gets wrapped up for 193 with still a ball to go. Arab will be disappointed to not to get the strike.

AFG 193 (49.5)

To defend the score they have posted, Afghanistan needed a strong start to their defence and they find it by dismissing Viran Chamuditha early. It is Abdul Aziz who provides the breakthrough. Fullish ball from Aziz, Viran Chamuditha gets forward to loft and picks out mid-off. Afghanistan celebrate.

SL 13/1 (2)

Sri Lanka have been cautious so far and are looking to not lose wickets given the target is not too big. Afghanistan know that the only way they can stay alive in the game is by picking up regular wickets. Currently, they are searching for another opening which they can maximise.

SL 28/1 (10)

Nooristani Omarzai gets Afghanistan an important breakthrough by dismissing well-set Dimantha Mahavithana, but it has not been enough to force Sri Lanka to lose control. They are progressing steadily and Afghanistan are finding it hard to control. They will need multiple wickets in a very short time.

SL 65/2 (16)

Sri Lanka has looked in control for most parts of their innings but just when they were taking the game away from Afghanistan, Roohullah Arab strikes and keep the game alive. Vimath Dinsara dances down the track take him on but ends up getting stumped. Afghanistan give themselves another chance to fight in the game.

89/3 (23)

Sri Lanka stitch another effective partnership between Kavija Gamage and Senuja Wekunagoda which has taken them a little bit further in their quest to a victory. Just when the chase was looking very strong for them, Gamage departs as Khatir Stanikzai strikes. Sri Lanka still favourites in the game.

SL 122/4 (29)

In the last eight overs, only 19 runs were scored by Sri Lanka and they also lost a wicket. Senuja Wekunagoda is the one to depart, as he gets cleaned up by Wahidullah Zadran. This has caused a slowdown and Senuja Wekunagoda, Dulnith Sigera are trying to get the tempo back. They still have balls in hand.

SL 141/5 (37)

Just after they negotiated out the tricky phase of play, Sri Lanka are back in the tracks as they are now nearing a comprehensive victory. Chamika Heenatigala and Dulnith Sigera have kept things steady and are now helping Sri Lanka cruise to their target. There is not much Afghanistan can do from here.

SL 181/5 (44)

Not much Afghanistan could do after the batting performance in the first innings. Yet, they fought well and pushed Sri Lanka a lot. Dulnith Sigera loseshis wicket in the end, but Wekunagoda's knock earlier made sure they drive home their side ensuring a victory. Sri Lanka could have been in trouble if not for Wekunagoda's controlled innings. They chased down the target in 46.5 overs.

SL 194/6 (46.5)