Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-It was a good day to bat second at the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with all three chasing sides coming out on top. Haseebullah Khan’s half-century helped Pakistan seal their place in the 5th place play-off at Bangladesh’s expense, despite a fine ton from Ariful Islam. United Arab Emirates were convincing eight-wicket winners in the Plate final, Punya Mehra hitting the winning runs with 24 overs to spare against Ireland, while West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by the same margin. A century stand between the Bennett twins, David and Brian, gave Zimbabwe hope but centuries from Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham saw the hosts secure 11th spot. Islam ton in vain as Pakistan beat Bangladesh Pakistan booked their place in the 5th place play-off with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Antigua and Barbuda. Bangladesh’s innings was dominated by Ariful Islam, who arrived at the crease in the 12th over with his side on 23 for three and set about guiding them to a competitive total. Islam had fallen for single figure scores in his two previous innings at this tournament but quickly found his groove here and brought up his half-century with a glorious six over long-on. The 17-year-old continued to lose partners – Mehran Mumtaz proving particularly potent with three for 16 from his 10 overs – but kept his composure and accelerated at the death, striking three sixes in one Awais Ali over to move into the nineties. His century, from 118 balls, arrived midway through the 49th over but Islam fell to the next delivery – the ninth wicket to fall in an innings which was ended on 175 with four balls remaining. Mohammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan started confidently in reply, adding 76 in 19 overs before the former fell for 36. Khan struck four fours and four sixes before picking out deep square leg on 78, by which time his side needed just 36 more for victory. Irfan Khan (24) was unfortunate to be run out backing up and Qasim Akram fell for a single but Abdul Faseeh’s unbeaten 22 saw Pakistan home with 21 balls to spare. Pakistan will now take on Sri Lanka in the 5th place play-off on Thursday, with Bangladesh to play South Africa for the right to finish seventh. UAE ease past Ireland in Plate final United Arab Emirates concluded their best ever ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign in style with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Ireland in the Plate final. Ireland won the toss and chose to bat but were quickly in trouble, falling to 27 for three when captain Tim Tector became the second of Jash Giyanani’s two scalps. Philippus le Roux salvaged a similar situation against Canada earlier in the tournament but could make just 14 on this occasion as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with only in-form opener Jack Dickson displaying much in the way of resistance. The wicketkeeper, who made an unbeaten 78 against Zimbabwe last time out, twice cleared the ropes on his way to 40 before falling to Dhruv Panashar (two for 15) to leave Ireland languishing on 91 for six. Reuben Wilson was the final wicket to fall as Ireland were dismissed for 122 in the 46th over, leaving Tector’s side desperate for early scalps. Their hopes were briefly raised when Parashar was clean bowled by Jamie Forbes with the score on 41 but Kai Smith and Punya Mehra quickly eased any UAE nerves. Smith hit seven boundaries before falling one run shy of a half-century while Mehra finished with a flourish, striking the final ball of the 26th over for six to take his side past their target and his own total to an unbeaten 48. Bennett finished unbeaten on 77 and Mitchell plundered a 26-ball 42 not out as Zimbabwe finished on what appeared to be a challenging 256 for four. But following the early departure of captain Matthew Nandu, Bishop and Wickham made a potentially tricky chase look simple. The pair rotated the strike effectively and found boundaries when they needed them, with Wickham striking 17 fours to beat his partner to three figures. He soon fell for 104 while Bishop ensured he was there at the end, finishing unbeaten on 112 from 121 balls with 11 fours and a six. It was left to Rivaldo Clarke to strike the winning runs, which he did by blasting the second ball of the final over for six. After their play off match was cancelled due to COVID-19, Canada finished the tournament in 15th place as a result of having a better net-run-rate than PNG from all matches played in the event.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Sri Lanka defeated South Africa by 65 runs to advance to the 5th place play off at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Captain and the tournament’s leading wicket taker Dunith Wellalage posted 113 for Sri Lanka as they set South Africa 233 to win. The Proteas scored well but lost wickets cheaply as they were bundled out for 167 as Sri Lanka set up a meeting with either Bangladesh or Pakistan. Uganda did not let the rain dampen their spirits as they beat Scotland by 51 runs in a shortened match to earn 13th place overall. Wellalage stars with the bat to lead Sri Lanka to victory Sri Lanka won the toss and skipper Wellalage chose to bat and it was not long before the star man was out in the middle. Openers Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Sadisha Rajapaksa could put on only 14 for the first-wicket stand as Kwena Maphaka bowled Rajapaksa. The left-arm seamer then dismissed Wickramsinghe three balls later before Sakuna Liyanage went for an eight-ball duck to bring Wellalage out to the middle with Sri Lanka precarious on 25 for three. Alongside Shevon Daniel, the skipper added 62 runs before forming an even more fruitful partnership with Ranuda Somarathne, putting on 130 runs for the fifth wicket. Wellalage was eventually dismissed by Maphaka but only after hitting 113 off 130 for his first century of the tournament. Somarathne would end on 57 not out as Sri Lanka set South Africa a chase of 232, which would prove too much for the Proteas. Opener Jade Smith was run out for one as Sri Lanka took regular wickets to stint South Africa’s progress. The usually free-flowing Dewald Brevis was next to go before Ronan Hermann and Gerhardus Maree added 34 and 44 respectively to move South Africa to 112 for six. The Proteas were scoring above the required run rate but frequent dismissals hampered their progress as the Sri Lankan bowlers split the wickets between them. Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara took his second stumping to dismiss Maphaka as South Africa fell 67 runs short and will now go into the 7th place play-off. Uganda win rain-affected match to seal 13th place The 13th-place play off between Uganda and Scotland got off to a delayed start in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago as rain prevented the two sides taking the field for over an hour and the game was initially reduced to 45 overs a side. Before the weather intervened, Uganda had won the toss and chosen to bat first – a decision which saw four of their top five make scores over 30. Ronald Lutaaya top-scored with 64 adding 75 runs for the third wicket alongside captain Pascal Murungi. Both were eventually dismissed by Jamie Cairns, two of the left arm spinner’s four caught and bowleds, on his way to the best bowling figures of the tournament with six for 24. Cairns took the final wicket of Edwin Nuwagaba to bowl Uganda out for 226 with 14.2 overs of their innings remaining. Charlie Tear was out for a first ball duck, with Muhaymen Majeed following him back to the dugout not soon after having both been dismissed by Juma Miyaji before Oliver Davidson and Tomas Mackintosh steadied the Scottish ship with a partnership of 46 runs. Jack Jarvis then came in to replace Mackintosh and scored quickly as he added 37 off 33 balls but rain would intervene again with Scotland on 122 for seven and two new batters at the crease. The weather brightened but Scotland’s task only got harder as they were now chasing the same target but only had 11 overs in which to do it. Captain Charlie Peet played a cautious innings as he looked to stay the distance, but could not find a partner, as Rafay Khan fell for 10 and Cairns a duck before Sean Fischer-Keogh's dismissal left him stranded on 29 not out. Scotland ended their World Cup 51 runs short (D/L method) of Uganda finishing 14th in the tournament, meaning the Baby Cranes claim 13th spot at the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 30, 2022):-India will host 3rd Twenty 20 World Blind Cricket Cup this year in November 2022 in the different cities, this decision was made in the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Blind Cricket that held virtually through video link due to the Pandemic of COVID-19. Syed Sultan Shah the President of World Blind Cricket Ltd presided over the meeting and the representatives from 10 full member countries comprising Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal attended it. World Blind Cricket Ltd has awarded the hosting rights of T-20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind to India. The 3rd edition of this format will take place in the month of November 2022 in the different cities of the India. World Blind Cricket also agreed to participate in the World Blind Games to be organized by International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) from 18th to 27th of August 2023 at Birmingham, United Kingdom. Cricket for the Blind Cricket is being added for the first time in World Blind games. Pakistan blind cricket team will participate in it.

Bipin Dani Bhutan's Mikyo Dorji became the first player from his nation to register for the IPL player auction. The 22year-old right-handed batsman, who occasionally bowls medium pacer has registered his name for the IPL auction on 21st January and is now waiting for his fate. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Bhutan on Saturday, he said, "Obviously I am over the moon because it is the biggest cricket league in the world and it is every cricketer's dream to play in this league. Having the thought of being selected and part of a team itself gives me goosebumps but lets see how things go.....". The players, however, will not lose sleep, if not picked. "To be very honest there is a very little chance that I will be picked because as I said it's the biggest league so the competition is very high but registering my name itself is something very big for Bhutan cricket and myself". "In case I don’t get picked this time then I’m sure in the near future I will be", he added. "Mikyo Dorji is a talented cricketer and we selected him as soon as we saw him in the first phase. To be honest, his father introduced him to this game. He progressed in Darjeeling, where he did his schooling", D.S Gurung, the Bhutan Cricket Council Board CEO said.  Mikyo Dorji is a power hitter, who is also good at goalkeeping, volleyball, basketball and cricket. He chose cricket because he sees a future in it". "He is a person with a strong determination and he believes that he can make it at any level if given the opportunity. For him, hard work and dedication are the most important things to succeed, “CEO added. Today he lives in the southern part of Bhutan, mainly to play cricket and keep his shape. Dreams will come true for Bhutan Cricket and also for Mikyo, if he is shortlisted.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-India set up an ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Super League semi-final clash with Australia after knocking out defending champions Bangladesh. In a repeat of the 2020 Final, India bowled first and dismissed the Tigers for 111 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda before their batters chased down the modest target for the loss of five wickets. On a day where bowling first proved decisive, Ireland beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to seal their path through to the Plate Final, where they will face United Arab Emirates. Toss proves vital as India power through India have a remarkably strong record in ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup quarter-finals, with this their seventh win in nine matches – and they had their bowlers to thank. India batted first in each of their Group B matches but this time their bowlers had the chance to set the tone after they won the toss. Deciding to field proved a masterstroke and Ravi Kumar ripped through the top order. The 18-year-old had taken just one wicket in the tournament but finished with figures of three for 14 from seven overs here, as he dismissed the top three Bangladesh batters to leave the defending champions on 14 for three. Bangladesh struggled to get a foothold in the match and slipped to 56 for seven, before Meherob Hasan came in and hit six boundaries in a crucial 30. However, just two other Bangladesh batters reached double figures and they were eventually all out for 111. India hoped for a comfortable run chase but they got off to a bad start when Bangladesh bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib removed opener Harnoor Singh for a duck. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Shaik Rasheed (26) put on 70 for the second wicket to seemingly secure victory, but Bangladesh threatened a late comeback. Ripon Mondol had Raghuvanshi caught at cover point and then returned two overs later to remove Rasheed, caught behind. New batter Siddarth Yadav then became Ripon’s third wicket when he was caught at cover to leave India on 82 for four. Captain Yash Dhull came to the crease and hit four boundaries to calm the nerves, around Ripon dismissing Raj Bawa to take his final figures to four for 31, before Kaushal Tambe heaved a six into the stands to seal victory with 115 balls remaining. Huge stand sends Ireland through Jack Dickson and Tim Tector put on a batting masterclass with a 159-run partnership and Muzamil Sherzad took five wickets as Ireland comfortably beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets to reach the Plate Final. Zimbabwe won the toss in Port of Spain and elected to bat but they made a slow start, with Matthew Welch run out for a nine-ball duck and captain Emmanuel Bawa trapped lbw by Matthew Humphreys for four. Steven Saul (24) and Brian Bennett (37) put on 52 for the third wicket before Saul was clean bowled by Humphrey, while Bennett became the first of Sherzad’s victims eight overs later. David Bennett hit three boundaries in his 35 but he had little support down the order, as Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 166 in 48.4 overs. Sherzad was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, taking his tournament wicket tally to 13 with five for 20. Zimbabwe made an equally strong start with the ball, as Mcgini Dube had Nathan McGuire caught in just the third over for six.  Joshua Cox then followed McGuire back to the pavilion as he was trapped lbw by Tendekai Mataranyika for a duck but Ireland quickly settled down. But Dickson and skipper Tector quickly developed a partnership and they went on to see Ireland over the line, with Dickson finishing 78 not out and Tector 76 not out in an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 159.

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI:- Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three and a half years after he accepted breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Taylor admitted to being in breach of the following provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code: Article 2.4.2 – Failing to disclose (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that (a) the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code or (b) that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. Article 2.4.3 - Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) receipt of gifts/hospitality with a value of US$750 or more regardless of the circumstances in which they were given. Article 2.4.4 – Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe’s then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh. Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and / or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor chose to admit the charges under the provisions of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and agreed a sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. His violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, which is separate and independent of the anti-corruption charges, resulted from an In-Competition test conducted on 8 September 2021 following Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland.  Mr Taylor tested positive for the stimulant Benzoylecognine, a cocaine metabolite, which is specified as a Substance of Abuse under the Code. Taylor has accepted a one-month period of ineligibility for the violation under Article 2.1 – the minimum allowed under the Code. Mr Taylor’s period of ineligibility was reduced to one month because he was able to establish that he had ingested the substance out of competition, that it was unrelated to sport performance, and because he is currently undergoing a rehabilitation treatment programme. This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three and a half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025. Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: “Brendan is a former international captain who represented Zimbabwe for 17 years. Over such a long career, he participated in numerous anti-corruption and anti-doping education sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the ICC Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping Codes. “It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction. I would echo Brendan’s message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation.”

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has invited 31 players for the trials to select the national team for upcoming bilateral series against South Africa. The trials will be conducted from 31st January to 2nd February 2022 at Bahria Town Lahore. The Selection Committee comprising Mohammad Bilal Satti (Chairman Selection Committee), Masood Jan and Ibrar Shah (members) will take trials of the shortlisted 31 players to select two Pakistan Blind Cricket teams, one for the upcoming home series against South Africa to be held in Pakistan from 26th February to 9th March 2022 and another Pakistan team for the Triangular series comprising Pakistan, India, and New Zealand to be held at United Arabs Emirates (UAE) March 2022. List of shortlisted players: Riasat Khan (Abbottabad), Nisar Ali (AJK), Mohammad Rashid (Bahawalpur), Zafar Iqbal (Bahawalpur), Badar Munir (Okara), Mohammad Ijaz (Bahawalpur), Sajid Nawaz (Bahawalpur), Mati Ullah (Lahore), Sana Ullah Marwat (Peshawar), Mohammad Shahzaib (Bahawalpur), Moain Aslam (Bahawalpur), Mohsin Khan (Peshawar), Mohammad Ayyaz (Bahawalpur), Anees Javed (Islamabad), Akmal Hayat (Islamabad), Mohammed Tehsin (AJK), Shahzaib Haider (Islamabad), Ayub Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Salman (Lahore), Niamat Ullah (Quetta), Mohammad Faisal (AJK), Fakhar Abbas (Islamabad), Naseeb ullah (Quetta), Mohammad Safdar (Multan), Mohammad Asif (Peshawar), Israr Hassan (Gujranwala), Mohammad Talha (Gujranwala), Shafi Ullah (Peshawar), Haroon (Peshawar), Kashif Siddique (Okara), Ahtesham ul Haq (Attock)

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Australia became the third side into the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Super League semi-finals with a comprehensive win over Pakistan. They joined England and Afghanistan in the final four with a 119-run success on a day where batting first was the order of the day. The United Arab Emirates set a target beyond hosts West Indies on their way to a Plate semi-final success, while Uganda were 35-run winners in the Plate play-off semi-finals against Papua New Guinea. Top order batting sends Australia through Australia booked their place in the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Super League semi-finals with a 119-run win over Pakistan thanks to some fine top-order batting. Half-centuries for Teague Wylie and Corey Miller, as well as 47 from Campbell Kellaway, helped Australia to 276 for 7 from their 50 overs and that proved far too much for Pakistan in Antigua. Barring a 50-run partnership for the third wicket, Pakistan were always behind in their chase and eventually crumbled to 157 all out with the wickets shared among the Australian bowlers. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, but soon regretted that decision as Kellaway and Wylie (71) put on 86 for the first wicket. Kellaway was stumped off the bowling of Qasim Akram (3-40), but that just brought Miller to the crease and he accelerated the run-rate on his way to 64. Their stand of 101 was brought to an end by Awais Ali, who had Wylie bowled, with Miller following soon after to leave Australia 203 for three with just under ten overs remaining. Skipper Cooper Connolly chipped in with 33 and William Salzmann cracked a quickfire 25 off 14 balls from No.7 to set a competitive target. It soon became clear that it would be well beyond Pakistan, with Muhammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan both caught behind to leave their side 27 for two in the fifth over. Abdul Faseeh (28) and Irfan Khan (27) started to rebuild before the latter was bowled by Salzmann (3-37), and the wickets fell at regular intervals from then on. Australia will now face the winner of the final Super League quarter-final between India and defending champions Bangladesh on Saturday. UAE stun the hosts A sensational knock from Aayan Afzal Khan helped UAE to one of the greatest results in their history as they beat the West Indies by 82 runs in the Plate semi-finals in Trinidad. After edging past Uganda by a wicket, UAE endured a torrid start when Shiva Shankar (3-31) struck early and often to leave the visitors scrambling at 26 for four. It was at that point that Aayan entered the fray, and his 93 turned the game on its head. While initially wickets continued to tumble, his 103-run partnership with Shival Bawa (51) for the seventh wicket ensured that the Asian would have something to defend. He was the last man to fall in a first innings effort of 224 for nine, a target that proved far too much for the Windies. Jash Giyanani (3-21) made the early inroads, with the home side quickly finding themselves 32 for four. And unlike the UAE, they had no Aayan to save the day, as Dhruv Parashar (4-30) picked up the baton with the ball. In fact the most resistance from the West Indies came from the final pair, Nathan Edward hitting an unbeaten 51 as he and No.11 Isai Thorne put on 70 for the final wicket before fittingly Aayan sealed the win. UAE will now take on the winner of Ireland against Zimbabwe in the Plate final, while the West Indies take on the loser in the play-off for 11th. Kakuru fires Uganda past PNG Cyrus Kakuru inspired Uganda to a 35-run victory over Papua New Guinea in the Plate play-off semi-finals in Trinidad. His 65 was the foundation of Uganda’s 123 all out in a low-scoring affair and Papua New Guinea never really got going in reply, slumping to 88 all out inside 20 overs. Uganda looked in trouble at 20 for three after electing to bat first, but it was at that point that Kakuru joined his skipper Pascal Murungi. The captain chipped in with 16, the only other man to make double figures and while John Kariko (5-19) caused chaos, Kakuru motored along to a half-century. He eventually fell caught and bowled to Kariko for 65 off 59 balls with 11 boundaries. But the reply never really got going, Juma Miyagi (4-29) and Joseph Baguma (3-30) combining to tear through the top order and reduce PNG to 27 for six. There was no way back from there, despite 26 from Junior Morea as PNG fell well short in reply. Uganda will now take on Scotland in the play-off for 13th. Meanwhile, three UAE players and one India player have received positive PCR test results for COVID-19 through the official event testing programme. The players are currently self-isolating and are being monitored and cared for by the medical team.

Bipin Dani Which parents would not be glad to see their son grabbing 5 wickets and giving away only 10 runs in less than 10 overs ? Vinuja Ranpul's mother glued before the TV on Thursday night and was "pleasantly surprised" to watch her son showing bowling skill in the U-19 QF match against Afghanistan in Antigua. "(I was surprised) because my son is a batting all-rounder. He is the one down batsman of Nalanda College 1st XI team and scored unbeaten 119 runs and 3 half centuries in the previous U19 school tournament. He was the 5th most run getter in that whole school tournament as well", the mother Deepani Rane, who is a lawyer by profession, said exclusively over the telephone from Sri Lanka. "Representing his first match in the ICC U-19 World Cup as a bowling all-rounder, I see this as an opportunity to improve his bowling skills too", the mother added. Vinuja's father Upul Vithanage is a sea-man (now sailing from Scotland to St. Juan Portico). The sailor with Evergas Company had also played cricket for some extent representing the BRC club Sri Lanka. Vinuja was influenced by his father. His only sister is a 3rd year medical student studying at Faculty of Medicine, Karapitiya, Sri Lanka. Mahela's pep-talk Obviously, the entire team was disappointed on losing the match after performing so well till this stage. Mahela, the team consultant, did console the players, though, one of the sources in Antigua confirmed. "He gave his own example of his playing days when his team lost four times out of five after reaching the final but ultimately won", one of the sources in Antigua confirmed.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD:-Afghanistan produced a sensational fightback to edge a thriller with Sri Lanka and secure a place in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Despite only setting a target of 135, a superb performance with the ball means Suliman Safi’s side just did enough to progress from the Super League quarter-finals. A composed late spell at the crease from Sri Lanka’s skipper Dunith Wellalage looked for a while like he would pull his team over the line, but it was not meant to be as Afghanistan edged the low-scoring thriller to reach the final four, matching their achievement from the 2018 tournament in New Zealand. They will now face England in the first Super League semi-final at the Sir Viv Richards Cricket Ground on 1 February. Afghanistan bowlers come alive to launch superb fightback Wellalage’s team elected to field after the winning the toss at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and for the first few overs it was difficult to tell whether it was the correct decision. Afghanistan openers Nangeyalia Kharote and Bilal Sayedi looked solid for the opening ten overs before Traveeen Mathew struck with a wicked delivery that removed Sayedi. Kharote departed in the very next over and when skipper Suliman Safi was trapped LBW after making just one, Afghanistan were reeling. Ijaz Ahmadzai lost his wicket without troubling the scoreboard, but fellow middle-order batsman Abdul Hadi was able to steady the ship with a crucial knock. The left-hander came to the crease with his team struggling, but he managed to make 37, including four boundaries, before he was stumped after a clever delivery from Dunith Wellalage. Vinjua Ranpul then helped clear-out the tail for Sri Lanka, ending with a five-wicket haul at the expense of just ten runs. When he trapped Izharulhaq Naveed, Afghanistan were all out for just 134 runs. The Sri Lankan reply was on shaky ground from the start. Opener Sadisha Rajapaksa went for a duck in the opening over, and his replacement Shevon Daniel went for just 2 after he was clean bowled by Bilal Sami. After 13 overs, they were in a worse position than Afghanistan were during their innings. Nor Ahmed then produced a cracking delivery to remove Ranuda Somarathne and put Sri Lanka in real trouble. From that point, their dreams of lifting a first ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup were fading fast. However, the eight wicket partnership between captain Wellalage and Raveen de Silva looked like it might save the day, taking Sri Lanka from 43 runs for seven to 112. Kharote then took the crucial wicket of the skipper, who played cheaply, before Naveed claimed the wicket of de Silva to set-up a nerve jangling finish. Sri Lanka got to within five runs of victory, but their fourth run-out of the innings cost Mathew the final wicket and gave Afghanistan a dramatic victory.