KABUL (SW): Afghanistan has made it to the quarter-finals of the U19 Cricket World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by 32 runs on DLS Method in Whangerei, New Zealand.
The first half of the match went off smoothly, without any disruption, and Afghanistan racked up a big total of 284 for 7. In the second dig, however, Sri Lanka were set a revised target of 235 in 38 overs after two stoppages triggered by wet weather.
The conditions hindered Sri Lanka’s approach and they were bowled out for 202 with three balls remaining. Afghanistan won by 32 runs (DLS method) to become the first side to qualify for the knockouts from Group D.
The success for Afghanistan is also a 180-degree turn from the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, when they were similarly placed in a group with Pakistan and Sri Lanka but were defeated by both sides.
Wednesday's victory was set up by a trio of half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran(86 off 112 balls), Ikram Ali Khil (55 off 89 balls), and Darwish Rasooli (63 off 44 balls) to set up an imposing total of 284 for 7. The chase was in the balance when rain arrived after 24 overs with Sri Lanka 108 for 3. A revised target of 127 off the final 14 overs was set when play resumed, and the required run rate jumped from 6.80 to nearly ten an over.
Afghanistan's bowlers seized on this to successfully apply pressure. Captain Naveen-ul-Haq snared two wickets in the first four overs after play resumed, including the well-set Jehan Daniel for Sri Lanka's eventual top score of 48. Naveen finished with 4 for 35 in eight overs and also effected a run-out, espn reported.
Afghanistan play Ireland in their final Group D match. Sri Lanka play Pakistan with the winner joining Afghanistan in the quarter-finals. A tie or a washout would also put Pakistan into the knockouts due to the net run rate tiebreaker
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