U19 World Cup 2026 Warm-ups: Afghanistan Stun Australia, Sri Lanka Edge South Africa in DLS Thrillers

The road to the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 just took a dramatic turn in Windhoek. If Day 3 of the warm-up fixtures was meant to be a gentle acclimatization session, the Asian contingents had other plans. In a day defined by grit, rain interruptions, and the ruthless application of the DLS method, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka sent shockwaves through the tournament favorites, registering morale-boosting victories that will force the rest of the competition to sit up and take notice.

While warm-up matches are often dismissed as mere practice, the intensity witnessed at the Wanderers Cricket Ground and the United Cricket Club Ground suggested otherwise. Afghanistan’s humbling of defending champions Australia and Sri Lanka’s disciplined strangling of South Africa have set a fiery tone just days before the main event kicks off.

Here is a deep dive into how Day 3 unfolded and what these results mean for the marquee tournament.

The Upset: Afghanistan dismantle Defending Champions Australia

Venue: Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek Result: Afghanistan won by 6 wickets (DLS Method)

History tells us that Australian youth sides are well-oiled machines, often entering tournaments with an aura of invincibility. On Sunday, a spirited Afghanistan side pierced that aura with surgical precision.

The Aussie Collapse: A Trial by Pace and Spin

Winning the toss and batting first seemed the logical choice for Australia to test the Windhoek surface. However, the decision backfired almost immediately. The Afghan bowling unit, led by the fiery Abdul Aziz, wasted no time in exploiting the conditions.

The top order crumbled under relentless pressure. Inside the powerplay, Australia was reeling, losing three wickets with the scoreboard barely ticking over. Wahidullah Zadran claimed the prized scalp of skipper Oliver Peake, a moment that sent jitters through the Australian dugout. At 44/3, the champions were not just struggling; they were being suffocated.

A brief resistance was mounted by Steve Hogan and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Lee Young. Young, in particular, showed great character, digging in when the chips were down. His fighting 57 was the only beacon of hope in an otherwise dismantled batting lineup.

However, just as a partnership began to blossom, Nooristani Omarzai and Hafeez Zadran struck in quick succession. The collapse to 77/5 was alarming. While a 55-run stand between Young and Jayden Draper offered a glimpse of stability, the lower order failed to capitalize.

The hero with the ball, Abdul Aziz (3/30), combined with the miserly Nooristani Omarzai (conceding just 6 runs in 7 overs), ensured Australia were bundled out for a sub-par 167.

The Chase: Composure Amidst the Clouds

Chasing 168 (later revised to 164 due to rain), Afghanistan faced their own early hiccups, reduced to 44/2. But unlike their opponents, the Afghan middle order displayed maturity beyond their years.

Uzairullah Niazai and Osman Sadat absorbed the pressure, stitching a vital 57-run stand that effectively broke the back of the chase. Sadat, who looked in sublime touch, combined with skipper Mahboob Khan to add another 54 runs, steering the ship with calm assurance.

Though Sadat was forced to retire hurt on a well-made 54—a slight concern for the camp ahead of the main tournament—the job was done. Afghanistan cruised home in 35.4 overs, a statement victory that announces them as genuine dark horses for the title.

The Thriller: Sri Lanka Outclass South Africa in DLS Battle

Venue: United Cricket Club Ground, Windhoek Result: Sri Lanka won by 12 runs (DLS Method)

Over at the United Cricket Club, another Asian powerhouse was flexing its muscles. Sri Lanka produced a “Jekyll and Hyde” batting performance but backed it up with clutch bowling to edge out a resilient South African unit.

Chamuditha’s Brilliance and the Lankan Collapse

Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first paid rich dividends early on. The opening pair of Dimantha Mahavithana (45) and the explosive Viran Chamuditha (87) looked imperious, putting on a century stand that had the Proteas bowlers searching for answers.

Chamuditha was the architect of the innings, stroking the ball with elegance and aggression. At 137/2, a score of 280+ looked imminent. However, cricket is a game of shifting momentum. The introduction of Enathi Khitshini changed the script. The dismissal of Chamuditha triggered a inexplicable collapse.

From a position of dominance, Sri Lanka lost their way. Despite Kavija Gamage’s gritty 48 off 56 balls, the middle and lower order folded against the spirited South African attack. Daniel Bosman (3/35) was the pick of the bowlers, instigating a fightback that saw Sri Lanka bowled out for 225—a competitive total, but far less than what they promised at the halfway mark.

The Proteas’ Stuttering Chase

Chasing a DLS-revised target of 176 in a rain-curtailed match is never easy; the scoreboard pressure is amplified by the ticking clock. South Africa’s start was disastrous, losing both openers inside 11 overs to teeter at 46/2.

The Sri Lankan bowlers hunted in pairs. Viran Chamuditha, having already starred with the bat, returned to haunt South Africa with the ball. Along with Malintha Silva, he kept chipping away at the wickets.

The turning point of the match arrived in the 27th over. A catastrophic mix-up led to the run-out of Bandile Mbatha, and on the very next delivery, Chamika Heenatigala cleaned up Paul James. Suddenly, at 107/6, the chase looked doomed.

South African skipper Muhammed Bulbulia played a captain’s knock of 54, trying to drag his side across the line, and a late 19-ball cameo of 30 from Lethabo Phahlamohlaka gave them a glimmer of hope. But the damage was done. Fittingly, Chamuditha claimed the wicket of Bulbulia, sealing the fate of the match. Sri Lanka held their nerve to win by 12 runs, proving they can defend totals even when momentum swings against them/

Key Takeaways from Day 3

1. Asian Teams Adapting to African Conditions

One of the biggest talking points leading into this World Cup was how sub-continental teams would handle the conditions in Namibia. Day 3 provided an emphatic answer. Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka showed that they have the technique to handle pace and bounce, and the bowling discipline to exploit it.

2. The DLS Factor

With rain interrupting both games, the ability to calculate and adapt to revised targets was crucial. Afghanistan’s clear-headed approach to the DLS par score contrasted with South Africa’s panic in the middle overs. Teams will need to be tactically sharp with the weather around.

3. Warning Signs for the Big Guns

Australia and South Africa are traditional heavyweights at the U19 level. For Australia to lose 3 wickets in the powerplay and South Africa to suffer two collapses in one chase exposes frailties in their top orders. These warm-up losses might serve as the perfect “kick up the backside” they needed before the tournament proper.

4. Players to Watch

• Viran Chamuditha (Sri Lanka): 87 runs and a match-winning wicket. A genuine all-round star in the making.
• Abdul Aziz (Afghanistan): His opening spell destroyed the Australian top order. Pace, swing, and aggression.
• Alex Lee Young (Australia): Showed the temperament required for tournament play even when his team crumbled.

The Road Ahead

As the warm-up fixtures conclude, the time for experimentation is over.

For Afghanistan, this win is a massive injection of self-belief. Beating the defending champions is no small feat and they will now enter the group stages fearing no one. For Australia, the coaching staff has work to do. The batting fragility exposed by the Afghan pacers needs immediate addressing. Sri Lanka will be delighted with their top-order dominance but concerned about their middle-order fragility. South Africa, playing on their home continent, will need to find composure in clutch moments if they want to go deep in the tournament.

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 is heating up before a ball has even been bowled in the official tournament. If Day 3 was the trailer, the movie promises to be a blockbuster.