Sri Lanka Under-19 team kicked off their 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, registering a massive 203-run victory over Japan Under-19 in their opening match. The contest was played yesterday at Windhoek, Namibia.
After winning the toss, Japan invited Sri Lanka to bat first, a decision that proved costly as the Islanders piled up a commanding 387 for 4 in their allotted 50 overs.
Openers Viran Chamuditha and Dimantha Mahavithana produced a breathtaking partnership, adding 328 runs for the first wicket and completely dismantling the Japanese bowling attack. Chamuditha was agonisingly short of a double century, dismissed for a magnificent 192, while Mahavithana scored a fluent 115 before being run out. Skipper Vimath Dinsara added late momentum with an unbeaten 44.
In reply, Japan Under-19 struggled against disciplined Sri Lankan bowling and could only manage 184 for 8. Hugo Kelly stood tall with a fighting unbeaten century, scoring 101 in a lone battle. Wickets were shared among Sethmika Seneviratne, Jeevantha Sriram, Viran Chamuditha, Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash and Chamika Heenatigala, who claimed one wicket each.
Sri Lanka’s dominant performance secured them a 203-run victory and the top spot in their group after the first round of matches.
Meanwhile, the other match played yesterday saw India Under-19 defeat Bangladesh Under-19 by 18 runs under the Duckworth–Lewis method in Bulawayo. Batting first, India were bowled out for 238, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi scoring 72 and Abhigyan Kundu contributing 80. Bangladesh pacer Al Fahad impressed with a five-wicket haul.
Bangladesh were later dismissed for 146 in 28.3 overs, and with rain interrupting play, India were declared winners by 18 runs according to the DLS method.
