The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 has reached its decisive group stage, and Monday brings a Group B clash with a semi-final place on the line. Sri Lanka U19 take on Afghanistan U19 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman, in the 10th match of the tournament. Afghanistan arrive as the only unbeaten team in the group, while Sri Lanka need a win to keep their campaign firmly in their own hands after a defeat against Bangladesh in their second match.
The stakes could hardly be clearer. A win for Afghanistan would seal top spot in Group B and a place in the semi-finals, while a Sri Lanka victory would throw the group wide open, with Bangladesh also in the hunt and playing Malaysia on the same day. With the semi-finals scheduled for 12 November and the final on 14 November, this is the kind of group match that can shape the whole knockout bracket.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first, backing their new-ball attack to make early inroads on a surface that has offered the seamers something in the morning session. Afghanistan’s openers, Abidullah Nadarjan and Faridullah Ihsas, started cautiously, and the first few overs have already shown that runs will not come easily against the moving ball — Sri Lanka have already struck, with Gimhan Mendis removing Ihsas lbw for 10. For Sri Lanka, the plan is simple: take early wickets and chase a manageable total. For Afghanistan, the task is to survive the new ball and let their in-form middle order, led by Shah Faisal Rahimi, build a competitive score.
This is the third and final group-stage match for both sides, and it is also a repeat of a fixture with recent history. The two teams met in the last edition of the U19 Asia Cup in Sharjah in December 2024, when Sri Lanka won convincingly. Afghanistan, however, have been the form team of this group so far, and they will feel this is their chance to turn that result around on a bigger stage.
Match Overview
Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 is the 10th match of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 and the final group fixture for both teams in Group B. The tournament, played in Oman from 5 to 14 November 2026, features eight teams split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Afghanistan have been the standout side in Group B. They opened their campaign by beating Bangladesh by 113 runs, posting 231 before bowling Bangladesh out for 118, and then crushed Malaysia by 10 wickets, dismissing them for just 42 before chasing the target down without losing a wicket. Their bowling attack has been ruthless, and their batting has had one outstanding innings already in Shah Faisal Rahimi’s 83 against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s campaign has been a tale of two very different matches. They began with a dominant nine-wicket win over Malaysia, bowling them out for 88 and chasing the target in just 13.5 overs, with Kaushika Kumarasinghe taking five wickets. But their second match brought them back to earth, as Bangladesh posted 245 and bowled Sri Lanka out for 200 to win by 45 runs, despite a fine 85 from Senuja Wekunagoda. That defeat means Sri Lanka cannot afford another slip here.
The group table going into this match tells the story. Afghanistan sit top with four points from two wins, Bangladesh are second with two points, Sri Lanka are third with two points, and Malaysia are already out of semi-final contention after two defeats. Bangladesh’s match against Malaysia is being played at the same time, so the semi-final picture in Group B will be settled by the end of the day. For Sri Lanka, a win here is the surest way to stay in control of their own fate rather than depending on net run rate and other results.
The other Group B action is covered in our Afghanistan U19 vs Malaysia U19 result recap, while the big Group A clash of the weekend is covered in our India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup preview.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19, 10th Match, Group B |
| Tournament | ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 |
| Date | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| Start time | 10:30 AM IST (toss at 10:00 AM IST) |
| Venue | Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat, Oman |
| Format | 50 overs per side |
| Toss | Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bowl |
| Live score at time of writing | Afghanistan U19 28/1 after 6 overs |
Squads / Playing XIs
Both teams named their confirmed playing XIs at the toss, and the line-ups are confirmed from the live scorecard. Sri Lanka are led by Viran Chamuditha, while Afghanistan are captained by Sohail Khan.
Sri Lanka U19 Playing XI: Viran Chamuditha (c), Rehan Peiris, Senuja Wekunagoda, Kithma Withanapathirana, Gimhan Rasanjana, Chaniru Senaratne, Lithma Perera (w), Vigneshwaran Akash, Sethmika Seneviratne, Gimhan Mendis, Kaushika Kumarasinghe.
Afghanistan U19 Playing XI: Abidullah Nadarjan, Faridullah Ihsas, Subhan Zakhail, Noman Salarzai (w), Shah Faisal Rahimi, Tahir Sarwary, Amir Hamza, Sohail Khan (c), Mohammad Ali, Noor Ali Niazi, Abdullah Hamdard.
Sri Lanka’s XI is built around their bowling strength. Sethmika Seneviratne and Gimhan Mendis share the new ball, and both have already made an impact in this tournament, with Seneviratne taking four wickets against Bangladesh. Kaushika Kumarasinghe, who took five wickets for 30 runs against Malaysia, is the bowler Afghanistan will be most wary of in the middle overs. With the bat, much depends on Senuja Wekunagoda, whose 85 against Bangladesh showed he can anchor an innings under pressure, and on captain Viran Chamuditha to lead from the front.
Afghanistan’s strength is their balance. Shah Faisal Rahimi is the batting mainstay after his 83 against Bangladesh, and the top order of Abidullah Nadarjan and Faridullah Ihsas has the job of seeing off the new ball. With the ball, Amir Hamza and Noor Ali Niazi have been outstanding — Hamza took three wickets against Bangladesh, and Niazi claimed a six-wicket haul against Malaysia. Captain Sohail Khan’s decision-making at the toss has also been a feature of their campaign, and his side will be confident after two comprehensive wins.
The full squads also include Lathendra Akash, Sanul Weeraratne, Himaru Deshan and Stevon Peiris for Sri Lanka, and Sami Mubarez, Bilal Salimankhil, Imran Mohammadi, Lutfullah Mohammadi, Abidullah Abid, Faisal Mubariz, Subhan Ali, Farid Zadran and Hamza Khan Alikhil for Afghanistan.
Head-to-Head
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have met regularly at Under-19 level, and their most recent meeting in the U19 Asia Cup went Sri Lanka’s way in emphatic fashion. On 1 December 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka posted 243 for 7, led by Sharujan Shanmuganathan’s 102, and then bowled Afghanistan out for just 112 to win by 131 runs. That result will give Sri Lanka confidence, but it is worth remembering that both squads have changed significantly since then, and neither side can read too much into a match played almost two years ago.
No official all-time head-to-head tally between the two Under-19 sides is published, so the honest picture is that this is a rivalry with recent honours going to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, while Afghanistan arrive in better form in this edition. What matters today is the present: Afghanistan have won both of their matches in this tournament, Sri Lanka have won one and lost one, and the team that handles the pressure of a virtual knockout will take a big step towards the semi-finals.
Pitch & Weather Report
The Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) has produced a mix of results in this tournament, and the evidence so far points to a surface that helps the bowlers early before becoming better for batting. In the two completed matches on this ground in the current edition, first-innings totals were 231 by Afghanistan against Bangladesh and 245 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka, so a score in the 230 to 250 range looks par. The other Group B ground, Ministry Turf 2, has seen much lower totals, with Malaysia bowled out for 88 and 42 in their two matches there.
The new ball has done damage in the morning session throughout the tournament. Sethmika Seneviratne opened with a maiden over in this very match, Kaushika Kumarasinghe’s five-wicket haul against Malaysia showed what disciplined seam bowling can do here, and Noor Ali Niazi’s six-wicket haul against Malaysia underlined that the surface offers help to bowlers who hit the right lengths. Batters who survive the first ten overs should find scoring easier as the ball gets older and the sun bakes the pitch, and the team batting second will want wickets in hand for the final stretch.
The weather is perfect for cricket. It is a bright, sunny day in Al Amerat, with temperatures around 30°C at the start of play and a high of 33°C, humidity near 40%, and a gentle north-easterly breeze. There is no chance of rain, so a full 50-over match is expected with no interruptions. The heat will test the fitness of both teams, particularly the bowlers in the second innings, and the captains will need to manage their attacks carefully through the middle of the day.
Where to Watch / Live Streaming
In India, the Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 match is being telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the SonyLIV app and website. The same broadcast arrangement has covered the tournament’s other matches, including the India vs Pakistan clash on 8 November. Viewers in other countries should check their local broadcaster or streaming partner, as rights vary by region.
For fans who cannot watch live, ball-by-ball scores and full scorecards are available on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo, and our site will carry the full match result and recap after the game. Readers following the other Group A action can also catch up with our UAE vs Nepal U19 Asia Cup preview, which covers the other side of the tournament draw.
FAQs
When is the Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 match?
The match is being played on Monday, 9 November 2026, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman. The match started at 10:30 AM IST, with the toss taking place at 10:00 AM IST.
Who won the toss in Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19?
Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bowl first. Captain Viran Chamuditha chose to put Afghanistan in to bat, backing his new-ball bowlers to make early breakthroughs on a surface that has offered seam movement in the morning.
What are the playing XIs for Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19?
Sri Lanka U19: Viran Chamuditha (c), Rehan Peiris, Senuja Wekunagoda, Kithma Withanapathirana, Gimhan Rasanjana, Chaniru Senaratne, Lithma Perera (w), Vigneshwaran Akash, Sethmika Seneviratne, Gimhan Mendis, Kaushika Kumarasinghe. Afghanistan U19: Abidullah Nadarjan, Faridullah Ihsas, Subhan Zakhail, Noman Salarzai (w), Shah Faisal Rahimi, Tahir Sarwary, Amir Hamza, Sohail Khan (c), Mohammad Ali, Noor Ali Niazi, Abdullah Hamdard.
Where can I watch Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 live?
In India, the match is live on the Sony Sports Network on television and on SonyLIV for online streaming. Live scores and ball-by-ball commentary are available on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.
What is at stake in this match?
Afghanistan will seal a semi-final place and top spot in Group B with a win, having already won both of their group matches. Sri Lanka, with one win and one loss, need a victory to keep their semi-final hopes firmly in their own hands, with Bangladesh also in contention in the group.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 is the biggest Group B match of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 so far, and it has lived up to that billing from the very first ball. Afghanistan have been the form team of the group, unbeaten after two commanding wins, but Sri Lanka have the bowling attack and the recent head-to-head win to believe they can stop them. The toss has already given Sri Lanka the first advantage, and the early overs have shown that this will be a contest decided by discipline with the new ball and composure in the middle order.
For Afghanistan, this is a chance to confirm their status as genuine title contenders and to book a semi-final place as group winners. For Sri Lanka, it is a must-win game that can rescue a campaign that stumbled against Bangladesh. Whoever holds their nerve in the key moments — the first ten overs with the ball, the middle overs with the bat, and the death overs in the chase — will take a huge step towards the knockout stage. Expect a close, hard-fought 50-over contest in Al Amerat, and stay with us for the full result, scorecard and match recap once the game is done.
For live scores and ball-by-ball commentary, follow the match here: Sri Lanka U19 vs Afghanistan U19 live score 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
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