Afghanistan U19 completed a perfect group stage at the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026, beating Sri Lanka U19 by 106 runs in the 10th match of Group B at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman, on Monday, 9 November 2026. Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl, Afghanistan posted 275 all out in 49.5 overs, and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 169 in 34.1 overs to seal top spot in the group and a place in the semi-finals.
Subhan Zakhail was the Player of the Match for a superb 107 off 111 balls, the innings that gave Afghanistan a total Sri Lanka never looked like chasing. Abidullah Nadarjan supported him with 55, and with the ball Noor Ali Niazi took four wickets for 35 runs to break the back of the Sri Lankan chase inside the powerplay. It was Afghanistan’s third win in three group matches, and it confirmed them as one of the form teams of the tournament.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat ends their campaign. They had beaten Malaysia in their opener but lost to Bangladesh by 45 runs in their second match, and this second straight defeat means they finish third in Group B and miss out on the semi-finals. Kithma Withanapathirana’s fighting 58 was the only real resistance in a chase that was effectively over inside the first ten overs.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Match | Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19, 10th Match, Group B, ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 |
| Date | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| Start time | 10:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat, Oman |
| Toss | Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bowl |
| Afghanistan U19 | 275 all out (49.5 overs) |
| Sri Lanka U19 | 169 all out (34.1 overs) |
| Result | Afghanistan U19 won by 106 runs |
| Player of the Match | Subhan Zakhail (107 off 111 balls) |
How the Match Was Won: Zakhail’s Century, Then Niazi’s Powerplay Burst
Afghanistan’s innings was built around one outstanding knock. Subhan Zakhail came in after the openers and held the innings together, reaching his century off 111 balls with 13 fours and a six before falling to Vigneshwaran Akash, caught by Rehan Peiris. Abidullah Nadarjan gave him good support at the top of the order with 55 off 64 balls, and the pair laid the platform for a total that proved well beyond Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept chipping away — Sethmika Seneviratne was the pick of them with three wickets for 44 runs in 9.5 overs — and Afghanistan were eventually bowled out with a ball to spare in their 50 overs. But 275 was a demanding target on a surface where the new ball had done damage all tournament, and Sri Lanka needed a strong start to have any chance.
They got the opposite. Noor Ali Niazi, who had taken six wickets for seven runs against Malaysia earlier in the tournament, struck four times in the powerplay and finished with four for 35 in nine overs, including two maidens. Sri Lanka were reduced to 42 for 4, and from there the required run rate climbed beyond reach. Kithma Withanapathirana fought back with a brisk 58 off 48 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes, but he found no lasting partner. Mohammad Ali Barakzai took two for 24 and captain Sohail Khan two for 42 as Afghanistan wrapped up the win in the 35th over, with more than 15 overs to spare.
Key Performances
- Subhan Zakhail (Afghanistan) — 107 off 111 balls: Thirteen fours and a six in the innings that defined the match, and the Player of the Match award. His century took Afghanistan from a solid start to a match-winning total.
- Abidullah Nadarjan (Afghanistan) — 55 off 64 balls: A composed half-century at the top of the order that gave Zakhail the platform to build on.
- Noor Ali Niazi (Afghanistan) — 4 for 35 in 9 overs: Two maidens and four wickets in the powerplay that destroyed Sri Lanka’s chase before it could begin. His tournament tally keeps growing after his six for seven against Malaysia.
- Kithma Withanapathirana (Sri Lanka) — 58 off 48 balls: The only Sri Lankan batter to pass fifty, with eight fours and two sixes, in a lone-hand effort while wickets fell around him.
- Sethmika Seneviratne (Sri Lanka) — 3 for 44 in 9.5 overs: Sri Lanka’s best bowler on the day, the only one to take three wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 275.
What It Means for Group B
Afghanistan finish the group stage with three wins from three matches and six points, top of Group B and through to the semi-finals on 12 November. They have won their matches by 113 runs, 10 wickets and now 106 runs — the most dominant group campaign of any team in the tournament so far. Our Afghanistan U19 vs Malaysia U19 result recap covers the 10-wicket win that started this run.
Bangladesh join them in the semi-finals from Group B. On the same day, Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 205 runs — posting 303 for 8, led by Ahsan Al Mumin’s unbeaten 152 off 133 balls, and bowling Malaysia out for 98 — to finish second in the group with four points.
Sri Lanka are out. Their campaign started with a nine-wicket win over Malaysia, but defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan leave them third with two points, and the semi-final places go to the two teams that beat them. Malaysia finish bottom of the group without a win. The other Group A action, including Pakistan’s three-wicket win over India, is covered in our India U19 vs Pakistan U19 result recap, and the full match preview is here: Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 preview.
FAQs
Who won Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 in the U19 Asia Cup 2026?
Afghanistan U19 won by 106 runs at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman, on Monday, 9 November 2026. Afghanistan scored 275 all out in 49.5 overs, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 169 in 34.1 overs.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Subhan Zakhail of Afghanistan, for his 107 off 111 balls with 13 fours and a six. His century was the highest score of the match and set up Afghanistan’s total.
What were the scores in the match?
Afghanistan U19 made 275 all out in 49.5 overs, with Subhan Zakhail scoring 107 and Abidullah Nadarjan 55. Sri Lanka U19 replied with 169 all out in 34.1 overs, with Kithma Withanapathirana top-scoring with 58. Noor Ali Niazi took four wickets for 35 runs for Afghanistan.
Who won the toss?
Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bowl first, putting Afghanistan in to bat. Captain Viran Chamuditha backed his new-ball bowlers, but Afghanistan still posted 275.
What does this result mean for the semi-finals?
Afghanistan top Group B with three wins from three and advance to the semi-finals on 12 November 2026. Bangladesh finish second and also qualify. Sri Lanka are eliminated after losing to both Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and Malaysia finish bottom of the group.
Conclusion
Afghanistan U19’s 106-run win over Sri Lanka U19 was the perfect end to a perfect group stage. Subhan Zakhail’s century gave them a total to defend, and Noor Ali Niazi’s powerplay burst made sure Sri Lanka never got close to it. Three wins from three, each by a wide margin, and a bowling attack that has now bowled out all three of its group opponents — Afghanistan go into the semi-finals on 12 November as one of the teams to beat.
For Sri Lanka, it is a disappointing exit. A nine-wicket win over Malaysia promised more, but back-to-back defeats against Bangladesh and Afghanistan exposed the gap between them and the group’s best sides. Kithma Withanapathirana’s 58 showed fight, but one innings could not rescue a chase that was lost in the powerplay. The final takes place on 14 November, and on this form Afghanistan will fancy their chances of being there.
For the full scorecard and ball-by-ball details, see the match on Cricbuzz: Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 scorecard on Cricbuzz
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
