South Africa vs Sri Lanka Live Score, U19 World Cup 2026: South Africa opt to bat against Sri Lanka

All Eyes on a Massive Semi-Final Decider Day - Right then, that is it from this entertaining contest, with Sri Lanka Under-19 climbing to the 2nd spot in Group 1 for now. We now have a double-header with plenty at stake as Afghanistan Under-19 take on Ireland Under-19 at Harare Sports Club, where an Afghan win will see them through, while in Group 2 here in Bulawayo, England Under-19 face New Zealand Under-19 with a victory enough to book England a place in the semis. Friday, 30 January, promises to be a huge day in this ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, with both matches starting at 7.30 am GMT, and as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye.

The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka Under-19 - Vimath Dinsara says that the bowlers bowled really well, and Akash bowled really well, picking up 4 wickets. Also says that he is happy with the team. He is also impressed by the way Viran Chamuditha batted throughout the inning and got his hundred. Ended up saying that they just wanted to win and were not focused on NRR.

The captain of South Africa Under-19 - Muhammad Bulbulia says that they started well with the bat, but lost too many wickets towards the end and were 30-40 runs short. Adds that with the ball too, they had a great start but could not build enough pressure on the batters. Mentions that the tournament did not go their way, but there were a lot of individual performances and hopefully, many of them have a great career ahead. Says that he had an amazing time leading the side, and even though it was a disappointing campaign, they have a lot of positives to take from here.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH is Viran Chamuditha (110 off 94) - He notes that the conditions became favorable for batting after the initial few overs. He acknowledges that there was some movement with the new ball early on, but he focused on adapting his batting to the changing conditions.

Presentation Time...

A Fight That Came Too Late - South Africa Under-19 began brightly with Michael Kruiskamp striking early and JJ Basson repeatedly beating the bat without reward, but once the swing faded they struggled to make further inroads, perhaps missing a trick by not using Bason's remaining overs, even as Botha and Kruiskamp sparked a brief middle-overs fightback with three quick wickets that came far too late to change the outcome for the Proteas.

A Lone Hand from Van Schalwyk - Earlier in the game, after choosing to bat, South Africa Under-19 put up a competitive total thanks largely to a strong 96-run opening stand and a brilliant century from Jorich van Schalwyk, with Adnaan Lagadien adding a fluent 48 before the middle order lost momentum, only for Paul James and Krisukamp to revive the innings with a crucial 40-run eighth-wicket partnership that gave the bowlers something to work with. Sri Lanka hit back after an early wobble as leg-spinner Vigneshwaran Akash turned the tide with a superb four-wicket haul, while Kavija Gamage claimed two and Chamika Heentigala added one to round off a solid bowling effort.

Chamuditha Stars in the Run Chase - Despite losing an early wicket and surviving a probing new-ball spell, Sri Lanka Under-19 were rarely in trouble during the chase, thanks largely to the positive and technically sound batting of Viran Chamuditha, who found excellent support from Senuja Wekunagoda in a match-defining 143-run second-wicket stand that all but sealed the contest. Senuja fell just short of a fifty, but Viran went on to bring up his second hundred of the campaign, and although there was a brief wobble when both set batters departed, skipper Vimath Dinsara's calm 32 guided them close before the lower order wrapped things up without any drama. 

Sri Lanka Keep the Dream Alive -  Sri Lanka Under-19 have done everything they could to keep their semi-final hopes alive and now must sit back and hope Ireland can produce something special against Afghanistan. The Lankans were the better side in all three departments and thoroughly deserved the win, while it marks a disappointing end to the Proteas' World Cup campaign.

Michael Kruiskamp to Chamika Heentigala, FOUR! That's it! On a length, wide outside off, Chamika Heentigala looks to drive it through covers, but closes the face of the willow and the ball rolls toward the right of the mid on fielder for four runs. Sri Lanka Under-19 beat South Africa Under-19 by 5 wickets. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, On a length, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera stabs it to cover for a single. Scores Level. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, Yorker, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera misses to jam it away. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, Fuller, on off, Dulnith Sigera stabs it to cover. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, Bumper, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera arches back and makes a leave. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Chamika Heentigala, Fuller, just outside off, Chamika Heentigala drives it to the left of mid off for a single. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Full, on leg, Dulnith Sigera nudges it to the right of the bowler. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Tossed up, much fuller, down the leg side. Dulnith Sigera misses his sweep and hits on his back thigh pad. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Much fuller, around off, Dulnith Sigera stabs it to cover. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Short, outside off, Dulnith Sigera stabs it to cover. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Short, on middle, Dulnith Sigera nudges it to mid-wicket. 

Enathi Khitshini to Chamika Heentigala, Fuller, on middle, Chamika Heentigala sweeps it straight to the fine leg fielder. But Dulnith Sigera sprints hard to get inside the crease at the striker's end before Lethabo Phahlamohlaka whips the stumps. Single taken. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, Fuller, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera miscues this loft, but gets enough to loop over mid off for a a couple of runs. Sri Lanka Under-19 are just one hit away from the win. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, SIX! BOOMBASTIC! Full-length delivery, on middle, Dulnith Sigera loads his arms and golfs it over the long on fence for half a dozen. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, WIDE! Fuller, down the leg side, Dulnith Sigera looks to flick but misses. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Dulnith Sigera, Fuller, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera looks to drive it to mid off but ends up driving it straight back at the bowler. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Chamika Heentigala, Pitches it up, does Michael Kruiskamp, Chamika Heentigala flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Chamika Heentigala, Full, on off, Chamika Heentigala drives it to cover. 

Michael Kruiskamp to Chamika Heentigala, Fuller, on middle, Chamika Heentigala looks to flick it but gets the inside edge pings on his pad. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Short, on off, Dulnith Sigera dabs it to the right of the bowler. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Short, around off, Dulnith Sigera pushes it to backward point for no runs. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Full, outside off, Dulnith Sigera nudges it to mid-wicket for no runs. 

Enathi Khitshini to Chamika Heentigala, Fuller, just outside off, Chamika Heentigala sweeps it to short fine leg. The fielder wants to throw it to the bowler, but it goes over the bowler and the batter gets a free run. 

Enathi Khitshini to Chamika Heentigala, Short, just outside off, Chamika Heentigala slaps it straight to the cover fielder. 

Enathi Khitshini to Dulnith Sigera, Short, just outside off, Dulnith Sigera pushes it to cover for a single. 

Paul James to Chamika Heentigala, Fuller and on middle, Chamika Heentigala tucks it to short mid-wicket. Sigera wants the run but is sent back.

Paul James to Chamika Heentigala, Pitched up and outside off, Chamika Heentigala slices it over extra cover for a couple of runs.

Paul James to Dulnith Sigera, Oh..what happened there? Paul James delivers the ball from way behind the crease. He loses his grip and bowls a very high full toss, almost near the chest of the batter. Dulnith Sigera somehow manages to tuck it away towards square leg for a run. It is called a No Ball for height. Free Hit up next.

Paul James to Dulnith Sigera, FOUR! That will release the pressure! Fuller delivery, on off, Dulnith Sigera gets right underneath it and drills it away wide of mid off. Michael Kruiskamp is a bit late to go down and the ball races to the fence for a boundary.

Paul James to Dulnith Sigera, WIDE! Short of a length and outside off, close to the tramline, Dulnith Sigera leaves it alone. Called a wide. A bit harsh from the umpire.

Dulnith Sigera comes out to the middle.

Paul James to Vimath Dinsara, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Paul James strikes, and the Proteas still have an outside chance here. This is a slower delivery, full and on off. Vimath Dinsara comes down the track to go big downtown, but goes through the shot early and loses his bottom hand. It takes the outside edge and goes behind, where Lethabo Phahlamohlaka makes no mistake. Dinsara goes back for a valuable 32 off 38, and Sri Lanka Under-19 lose half their side now, still needing 25 runs in 51 balls.

Paul James to Chamika Heentigala, Full toss, outside off, Chamika Heentigala slices it to deep point for a run.

Paul James to Vimath Dinsara, Fuller and around off, Vimath Dinsara guides it through point for a single.

Enathi Khitshini to Chamika Heentigala, Flatter, full and aronud off, keeps low, Chamika Heentigala bunts it off the toe-end of the bat towards the bowler.

Enathi Khitshini to Vimath Dinsara, Short and around off, Vimath Dinsara punches it towards extra cover for one.

Enathi Khitshini to Vimath Dinsara, A bit short and on off, Vimath Dinsara steers it to point.

Enathi Khitshini to Chamika Heentigala, Risky run! A low full toss, on off, Chamika Heentigala goes down and swipes it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg. Dinsara calls him for the run and he responds but a bit late. He had to hurry but makes his ground.

Enathi Khitshini to Vimath Dinsara, Tossed up, full and on off, Vimath Dinsara pushes it through covers for a single.

Enathi Khitshini to Vimath Dinsara, Floated, full and on off, Vimath Dinsara backs away and drives it but straight to short cover.

Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the circle till the end of the game. However, with just 30 runs needed, Muhammad Bulbulia will prefer having more fielders inside and let the batters take risks here.