ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup:

Sri Lanka still in with a chance

Sri Lanka were beaten by South Africa by four wickets in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Group ‘D’ match played in Brisbane, Australia yesterday. With their second defeat out of three matches, Sri Lanka is at a risk of an early exist in the tournament.

Sri Lanka batting first scored 150 runs in 37.4 overs. Pulina Tharanga made a fighting 50 runs. South Africa reached the target in 33 overs for six

wickets. Tharindu Kaushal took three wickets for 28 runs while skipper Sanitha de Mel captured two wickets for 32 runs.

In the first match, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 104 runs, and Sri Lanka managed to win against Namibia by 195 runs in the second match.

Sri Lanka will have to wait for the outcome of today's match between Namibia and Bangladesh in Brisbane to know their fate. If Namibia wins against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will have a chance to advance to the super eight round with South Africa, who already qualified for the super eight stage (quarter finals) as the Group ‘D’ points table leader.

[Brief scores]

Sri Lanka: 150 in 37.4 overs (Pulina Tharanga 50, C A Dry 16/4, C P Savage 30/2)

South Africa: 153 in 33 overs (C J Bowes 46, T B de Bruyn 42, Tharindu Kaushal 28/3, Sanitha de Mel 32/2). (SJ)