U19CWC Report Card: Sri Lanka

Results summary

Group stage
Beat Ireland by 7 wickets
Lost to Afghanistan by 32 runs (DLS method)
Lost to Pakistan by 3 wickets

Plate quarter-final
Beat Kenya by 311 runs

Plate semi-final
Beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets

Plate final
Beat West Indies by 3 wickets

Positives to take home?

Sri Lanka will be largely disappointed with their performances in the group stage of the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup but recovered strongly in the Plate. They may have discovered a strong opening partnership for the future; Hasitha Boyagoda (307 runs at 76.75) and Dhananjaya Lakshan (250 runs at 50.00) both had very strong tournaments and featured in a double-century opening stand in the Plate final against West Indies.

Areas for improvement?

Kenya were the only team Sri Lanka managed to bowl out in the tournament and that will provide some food for thought. Thisaru Rashmika and Nipun Malinga impressed with nine and eight wickets respectively but lacked consistent support. Neither left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama (who bowled 49.2 overs but only managed four wickets) or seamer Jehan Daniel’s (whose 35 overs yielded a solitary wicket and an average of 98.50) found New Zealand conditions to their liking.

Rising star?

Boyagoda’s 116 from 124 balls led the way in Sri Lanka’s successful chase against West Indies in the Plate final. In the group stage, the opener biffed 191 as he recorded the highest score in Under 19 ODIs – leading a brutal rout of Kenya in Lincoln. It was feast or famine for the 19-year-old right-hander, who also registered two ducks, but he will look back with very fond memories on his breakthrough tournament. An honourable mention must also go to Nishan Madushka (170 runs at 85.00) who was a late addition to the XI but made an instant impression after being selected.

Overall grade

B-