ICC: Afghanistan triumphed in a low-scoring thriller against Sri Lanka in Antigua to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup on Thursday (27).

Having been dismissed for just 134, an inspired Afghanistan bowling performance – aided by some nervy Sri Lankan batting – saw Suliman Safi’s side secure a stunning four-run victory, sealing their spot in the semis with a dramatic run-out.

Afghanistan had recovered from a mini-collapse that saw them lose four top-order wickets for just two runs to scramble towards a vaguely competitive total of 134 from 47.1 overs.

And that modest total seemed to be more than sufficient when Group D winners Sri Lanka slumped to 43/7.

A 69-run partnership for the eighth wicket between captain Dunith Wellalage (34) and Raveen de Silva (21) carried the game deep, and it looked like Sri Lanka’s game when the final-wicket pair added a further 14 runs in intensely pressurised circumstances to bring their side within five runs of victory.

But a calamitous run-out brought Sri Lanka’s chase to a dramatic end.

Afghanistan will face England in the semi-finals on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka will look to restore some pride in their playoff semi-final against South Africa on Monday.

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