Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team delivered a commanding performance in Bulawayo, defeating South Africa by five wickets in a crucial Super Sixes match of the 2026 World Cup. The result keeps Sri Lanka’s semifinal aspirations alive, lurking as a threat to Afghanistan’s spot in Group 1 behind Australia.
At Queens Sports Club on Thursday, South Africa chose to bat and reached 261-7. Jorich van Schalkwyk’s 116-run knock off 130 balls, studded with 13 boundaries and two maximums, was the highlight. He built on a solid 96-run opening stand with Adnaan Lagadien, who scored 46 off 57 balls (6×4, 1×6).
Post Lagadien’s dismissal, van Schalkwyk partnered with Bandile Mbatha for 48 runs and Paul James for 34, pushing the score to 207. James ended unbeaten on 37 (36 balls, 2×4), alongside Kruiskamp’s 21*.
Bowling honors went to Sri Lanka’s Vigneshwaran Akash (4/46), with Kavija Gamage (2 wkts) and Chamika Henatigala (1) chipping in.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit began shakily at 23-1 after Dimantha Mahawithana’s duck. Enter Viran Chamuditha, whose explosive 110 off 94 balls (13×4, 1×6) formed a 143-run stand with Senujah Wekunagoda (48 off 63, 5×4). Skipper Vimath Dinsara’s 32 and Henatigala’s 20* sealed the 46-over chase.
South Africa fought back with two wickets each from Kruiskamp and Botha, plus James’s one. Sri Lanka’s resilience underscores their potential to advance further in the tournament.
