Dulnith Sigera and Kavija Gamage produced two outstanding innings as Sri Lanka Under 19 recorded their second successive victory in the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup warm-up matches, defeating Afghanistan by seven runs under the DLS method in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka, who won both their warm-up fixtures, will enter the World Cup with growing confidence ahead of their group matches against Japan, Ireland and defending champions Australia.
Batting first in their second warm-up match, Sri Lanka Under 19 scored a competitive 266 for 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Rain interruptions later revised Afghanistan’s target to 118 from 23.5 overs, but they were restricted to 110 for 3 wickets.
Afghanistan opener Khalid Ahmadzai remained unbeaten on 57 off 74 balls, while Sri Lanka paceman Rasith Nimsara and spinners Malintha Silva and Vigneshwaran Akash picked up one wicket apiece to seal a narrow win.
Earlier, opener Dulnith Sigera gave Sri Lanka a solid start alongside Dimantha Mahavithana, who contributed 16. Sigera narrowly missed a century, scoring a fluent 95 off 123 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes.
Deputy skipper Kavija Gamage continued his fine form, striking an elegant 97 off 109 balls that included ten fours and two sixes. The pair added a match-defining 171-run partnership for the fourth wicket, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka’s total.
Viran Chamuditha, who impressed as an opener in the first warm-up match with a score of 87, batted at number six on this occasion and provided late momentum with an unbeaten 20 off just nine balls, hitting three boundaries. Afghanistan bowler Khatir Stanikzai claimed 3 for 36.
Sri Lanka had earlier defeated their first warm-up opponents by 12 runs under the DLS method, and the back-to-back victories have boosted team morale ahead of the tournament, which commenced yesterday.
Sri Lanka will open their World Cup campaign against Japan tomorrow, January 17, at Windhoek, the same venue where they secured both warm-up victories.