Sri Lanka U19 delivers record-breaking innings

Spectators and viewers have been treated with many highlights in the first few days of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup (Zimbabwe and Namibia 2026).

A respectable batting display by underdogs and debutants Japan (184/8 in 50 overs) was still no match for Sri Lanka who stormed to a 203-run win at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Saturday.

The player of the match, predictably, was Sri Lankan opening batsman Viran Chamuditha (192 off 143 balls; 26 fours and one six) who made history with the highest individual score in the history of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup. He overtook his countryman Hasitha Boyagoda’s 191 against Kenya in 2018.

Chamuditha also contributed to a U19 World Cup record partnership of 328 runs with fellow opener Dimantha Mahavithana (115 off 125 balls; 11 fours).

The previous U19 World Cup partnership record had stood since 2016 (303 runs between England’s Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham) for the second wicket against Fiji at Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Surprisingly, Sri Lanka’s 387 for four in 50 overs only reached the ninth place on the all-time record list of highest totals for the U19 World Cup – headed by Australia’s 480/6 against Kenya in Dunedin in 2002.

Japan’s number three batsman Hugo Tani-Kelly stood tall with 101 not out off 162 balls (6x4 1x6), despite only brief periods of support with three partners who reached 23, 18 and 19.

Afghanistan celebrate tense win over RSA

On Friday, Afghanistan made the timely breakthroughs under pressure to deny South Africa by 28 runs in their first pool match at the HP Oval in Windhoek.

Afghanistan’s 266/8 in 50 overs contained three fifties, namely by Khalid Ahmadzai 74 off 102 balls (6x4 1x6), Faisal Khan 81 off 95 balls (8x4 2x6) and Uzairullah Niazai 51 off 51 balls (8x4).

SA bowlers Corné Botha (3/45 in 10 overs) and Bayanda Majola (3/59 in 10 overs) showed their potential.

In a sharp moment, the TV umpire confirmed that Afghanistan’s captain and wicketkeeper Mahboob Khan managed to run out his South African counterpart Muhammad Bulbulia (17 off 35) when both his bat and foot was momentarily above ground after he had survived a shout for LBW.

Jason Rowles kept South Africa in the hunt at 175/5 at the end of the 40th over. Rowles scored all round the wicket on his way to 98 off 93 balls (9x4 3x6), but his run-out with a throw by Aziz Mia Khil was a turning point.

Against a required run-rate that had crept up past 10 per over, South Africa’s later batsmen Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (22 off 20 balls; 2x6), Daniel Bosman (20 off 15 balls; 1x4 1x6) and Corné Botha fought valiantly, but Afghanistan managed the vital and timely breakthroughs.

Player of the match was awarded to Uzairullah Niazai for his fifty runs, which he also followed up with a run-out of SA opener Jorich van Schalkwyk for 10, as well as a great outfield catch to dismiss Paul James for 4.

Champions off to winning start

Title holders Australia saw off the challenge of Ireland by eight wickets at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground on Friday.

Ireland U19’s total of 235/7 (50 overs) was built around their number three Robert O’Brien’s fifty when he scored 79 off 98 balls (9x4).

Australia U19 first lost opener Will Malajczuk at 30/1 after he had been the aggressor with 22 off 12 balls (2x4 2x6). His partner Nitesh Samuel went on to score an unbeaten 77 (101 balls) – strangely enough without a single boundary.

Number three Steven Hogan completed his century and was named player of the match. His 115 off 111 balls contained 11 fours and a six, while his partnership with Samuel was only broken at 216/2 (35.3 overs) with victory in sight.

Luke Murray was the pick of the Irish bowlers (1/46 in 8.4) with the wicket of Hogan.

Fixtures up next

(All starts at 09:30)

Monday 19 January: South Africa v Tanzania (Whk HP Oval); Sri Lanka v Ireland (Whk NCG); Pakistan v Scotland (Harare).

Tuesday 20 January: Australia v Japan (Whk NCG); Bangladesh v New Zealand (Bulawayo).