Ranpul delivers as Sri Lanka Under 19s contain Afghanistan to 134 runs

Deciding to field first Sri Lanka Under 19s held Afghanistan batting lineup in a vice like grip as Vinuja Ranpul took five wickets to contain them to 134 runs in the quarter-finals of the ICC Under 19 World Cup at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Thursday.

Nalanda College speedster Vinuja Ranpul, who played no part in the first three matches of the World Cup played a crucial role in containing Afghanistan to a low score.

The former Cambrian shared the new ball with Yasiru Rodrigo in the crucial encounter and produced an outstanding first spell to get Sri Lanka in to a commanding position. Bowling eight overs at a stretch Ranpul rattled the top order taking three wickets in his sixth and seventh overs.

Spinner Treveen Mathew coming in as the first change bowler provided the ideal backing as he commenced with three consecutive maidnes. Mathew took one wicket for four runs in his first spell of six overs before completing his ten overs for just 13 runs.

The tight bowling in the first half of the innings proved to be crucial as Afghanistan struggled to get back in to the game. They could score just 59 runs in the first 25 overs and were yet to reach three figures going in the last seven overs.

However from six wickets down for 84 runs they managed to reach their eventual total thanks largely to a seventh wicket stand of 48 runs between Abdul Hadi and Noor Ahmad. The latter was the aggressive of the two as he hit four sixes in a knock of 30 runs (33 balls). His threat of a big score was doused when Ranpul had him as his fourth wicket when he returned for his last two overs.

While Wellalage picked up three wickets in his ten overs, Ranpul completed a remarkable five wicket haul for just ten runs (9.1-3-10-5).

Sri Lanka were yet to use paceman Matheesha Pathirana when Afghanistan were bowled out.

The winners of this match will take on England Under 19s in the semi-finals.

Scores:

Afghanistan

U19s  134 all out in 47.1 overs (Allah Noor 25, Abdul Hadi 37, Noor Ahmad 30  ; Vinuja Ranpul 5/10, Dunith Wellalage 3/36)  (RF)