Sri Lanka in quarter-finals for the first time since 2016

ICC Under 19 World Cup

Sri Lanka Under 19s are in the quarter-finals of the ICC Under 19 World Cup for the first time since 2016 after Dunith Wellalage lead team completed the group stage unbeaten on Friday.

Sri Lanka emerged champions of Group ‘D’ after scoring a dramatic victory over West Indies to enter quarter-finals as one of the four teams to reach that stage unbeaten. England, India and Pakistan were the champions of the other groups and have remained unbeaten.

As Group ‘D’ champions Sri Lanka are set to meet Afghanistan in the super league quarter-finals.

After failing to go beyond the Group stage in the last two editions, the team coached by Avishka Gunawardena have done exceptionally well to reach where they are as they beat formidable Australia, West Indies and Scotland during group stage.

Sri Lanka reached the semi-finals of the tournament when Charith Asalanka captained the team in 2016. They were beaten in the semi-finals by India that year.

At the last edition, Sri Lanka were placed third behind India and New Zealand in group ‘A’ where Japan were the other team. The 2018 edition saw Sri Lanka finishing just above Ireland in Group ‘D’ dominated by Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Australia, the runners up to Sri Lanka in Group ‘D’ in this tournament will meet Pakistan in their quarter-final.

On Friday, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana both took three wickets apiece as Sri Lanka restricted the hosts to 250 before Sadisha Rajapaksa (76), Anjala Bandara (40) and Ranuda Somarathna’s unbeaten 28 guided the team to a three-wicket success at Conaree Sports Club in Basseterre.

Chasing a target of 251 runs to win, Sri Lanka lost opener Chamindu Wickramasinghe in quick time as Nathan Edward enticed him into a flick outside off stump that went straight to Rivaldo Clarke.

Sadisha Rajapaksa and Shevon Daniel got the side back on track as they reached the end of the 11th over on 56 for one before Daniel was removed by McKenny Clarke for 34.

Rajapaksa powered on regardless and despite losing Sakuna Liyanage (9), he reached his fifty in the 25th over with support from new partner Anjala Bandara at the crease.

Bandara contributed 40 from 52 balls before his wicket was taken by Isai Thorne, with Rajapaksa (76) also falling the same bowler in the 40th over as Sri Lanka reached 200 for five.

With 51 still needed off 60 balls for victory, Shiva Sankar removed Wellalage (15) to set up a tense finale as Ranuda Somarathna and Raveen de Silva came together in the middle.

Mckenny Clarke bowled De Silva (13) but a nerveless 28 from 27 balls from Somarathna saw Sri Lanka home as they secured a three-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.

For hosts openers Shaqkere Parris and Matthew Nandu ensured they made a steady start, reaching the end of the fifth over for 20 without loss before Treveen Mathew removed the latter for seven.

Parris was then bowled by Dunith Wellalage for 16 before Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham combined for a fruitful partnership, taking the West Indies to 102 for two after 26 overs.

Bishop was eventually removed on 45 by Wellalage, caught by Mathew, but Jordan Johnson picked up where his teammate left off as he raced to 26 from 30 balls.

Wickham reached his half-century before falling for 56 to Matheesha Pathirana in the 38th over, although Johnson and Rivaldo Clarke kept West Indies ticking along nicely.

Two wickets in three balls in the 45th over stunted the hosts’ momentum, though, with Wellalage accounting for Johnson as he fell three runs short of his fifty before Giovonte Depeiza was run out moments later by Anjala Bandara without scoring.

A late cameo from McKenny Clarke of 21 from 13 balls saw West Indies finish all out for 250, with Wellalage (3-39) and Pathirana (3-67) both taking three wickets.

Super League Quarter-final line up

26 January – Quarter-Final 1 England v South Africa; Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

27 January – Quarter-Final 4 Sri Lanka v Afghanistan; Coolidge Cricket Ground

28 January – Quarter-Final 3 Pakistan v Australia; Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

29 January – Quarter-Final 2 India v Bangladesh ; Coolidge Cricket Ground