SL U19 VS AF U19 YOUTH%20ODI

Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. Afghanistan Under-19 will face England Under-19 in the semi-finals. They have a couple of days to prepare for that game. Although the U-19 World Cup action will continue on 29th January as Pakistan Under-19 take on Australia Under-19 in Quarter Final 3. The first ball will be bowled at 6.30 pm IST (1.00 pm GMT). But the build-up will begin much in advance. Do join us for that. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Suliman Safi, the victorious skipper, is in for a chat. He says, the boys played really well. Adds that, he is happy with how the players performed under pressure. Mentions, they will try to score big with the blade in the next fixture.

Dunith Wellalage, the skipper of Sri Lanka U-19, is in for a chat. Firstly he congratulates the Afghanistan team for playing well. Mentions that he is proud of his team. Tells that they committed a few mistakes and the four run-outs cost them the match. Ends by saying that Vinuja Ranpul and Traveen Mathews bowled really well and those were the few positives.

Noor Ahmad win the Man of the Match award for his exceptional hitting with the blade. He says that he tried to swing his blade and get some biggies and help his team put a good total. Mentions that his skipper told them that the wicket is not easy for batting and if they didn't make a good total, even Sri Lanka would not chase it.

Stay tuned for presentation...

Earlier in the first innings, after being put to bat. Afghanistan started off with the blade on the wrong foot. A crucial stand in the middle order and some lusty blows by Noor Ahmad made sure to cross the 130-runs mark. Later with the ball, Afghanistan Under-19 bowlers kept things tight and astonishingly made it to next round.

Afghanistan Under-19 won hearts but in the end also managed to win the game. This was an exceptional performance by the bowlers. They wanted quick wickets and their pair of seamers got them off to a flying start. Within 12 over SL were 24/4. Afghanistan Under-19 were exceptional in the field as well, they kept things tight really well and hence were rewarded with three run outs as well. But the extras conceded by the bowlers could've haunted them as well but a late, late run-out took them over the line.

Sri Lanka came out to chase down a modest score, but they made a mountain out of a molehill and that costed them the game. The lack of partnerships in the middle hurt them a lot. The eighth wicket stand though of 69 runs came to rescue for Sri Lanka Under-19 but once it was broken they lost wickets in cluster to make it difficult for them. In the end, an indecision in the fag end of the innings confirmed their departure back home. It was really a sorry performance by Sri Lanka Under-19. But they will surely learn a lot from this game.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE! Some passionate fight shown by Afghanistan U-19 players to turn the game around in their favour. Jubilation for Afghanistan and tragedy for Sri Lanka. No one would’ve expected this result after watching the first innings but this is what cricket is all about.

OUT! RUN OUT! What a game of cricket! Jubilation for Afghanistan Under-19. Tragedy for Sri Lanka Under-19. Afghanistan players are running all around the park. They cannot believe it. Naveed Zadran has got emotional and is on the ground. Sri Lanka Under-19 only have themselves to blame. 134 to defend and Afghanistan Under-19 showed 'never give up' attitude and now will enter the semis. They never stopped believing in themselves, always maintained the pressure and have got the desired result. Coming to the ball, it was a back-of-a-length ball, around off. Vinuja Ranpul stands up on his toes and dabs this towards backward point. There was never a run there but Traveen Mathews starts running and is halfway down the pitch. Nangeyalia Kharote underarms the ball to the bowler. He runs back and then underarms it to the stumps of his end and Traveen Mathews is caught well short of the crease. AFGHANISTAN UNDER-19 WIN BY 4 RUNS!

And again! Length ball, outside off, angling away. Vinuja Ranpul has a poke at it but misses.

So close! Good-length ball, angling away, outside off. Vinuja Ranpul looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short of a length, outside off. Vinuja Ranpul looks to cut but under-edges it to point.

FOUR! Excellent shot! That's going to run away! Vinuja Ranpul is playing like a top-order batsman. Width on offer again, outside off. Vinuja Ranpul latches onto it and slashes powerfully through point for a boundary. Just 5 runs away are Sri Lanka Under-19 to win this match and enter the semis.

Two! This is good batting! Width on offer, outside off. Vinuja Ranpul carves it to deep point. He pushes hard for the second run and gets it comfortably.

Full and on off, patted back to the bowler. Sri Lanka Under-19 camp with their hands over their heads in tension. Nail-biting stuff! 11 needed with 1 wicket in hand!

Flatter ball, outside off. Traveen Mathews defends it to the off side.

Floats it up, outside off. Driven towards covers.