U19 World Cup 2022: Sensational run-out helps Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka in a thriller by 4 runs

5 runs to win. 25 balls to go. One wicket in hand. This was the equation in place for the U19 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. However, a suicidal run attempted by the final pair of Sri Lankan batters meant that the Afghanistan U19 side stunned their opposition.

Vinuja Ranpul played the ball to point and the non-striker, Treveen Mathew set off for a run. The fielder at point collected the ball and threw it to the bowler, who dislodged the stumps as the non-striker was short of his crease.

The Afghanistan players were over the moon. The players were delighted as the Afghanistan side moved into the semifinals of the U19 World Cup. The Afghanistan side will now face the England U19 side in the semifinal of the tournament on 1st February 2022 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

You can see the video of the run-out below

Congratulations Afghanistan 🔥🔥🇦🇫🇦🇫🔥🔥
Afg u19 vs sl u19 pic.twitter.com/qBYzNkjiXm

— THE NDS soldier (@Muhamma40574471) January 27, 2022

Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka in a low scoring thriller

Wielding the willow first the Afghanistan side was bowled out for just 134. Abdul Hadi and Noor Ahmad scored 37 and 30 respectively to lend some respectability to the Afghanistan total. Vinuja Ranpul was outstanding with the ball in hand and scalped a five-wicket haul.

Sri Lankan skipper Dunith Wellalage also chipped in with a three-wicket haul as well. In reply, the Sri Lankan side produced an abysmal performance with the willow. As many as 7 batters could not even score in double digits, and the Sri Lankan outfit was reeling at 43/7.

And, that was when Wellalage and Raveen de Silva came together and stitched a partnership of 69 runs for the 8th wicket. However, Wellalage’s departure signalled the end for his side, as the Sri Lankan outfit fell short of the target set by Afghanistan by just 4 runs.

Bilal Sami was the pick of the bowlers for the Afghanistan side with the ball in hand. In the 10 overs that he bowled, Sami scalped 2 wickets and also gave away only 33 runs as well.