Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
January 21, 2024
The third day of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 witnessed a series of exciting match-ups, with Sri Lanka and New Zealand emerging victorious in their respective group-stage encounters. In Group C, Sri Lanka overcame a spirited Zimbabwean challenge. At the same time, Group D saw New Zealand secure a comfortable win against Nepal.
In the highly competitive Group C fixture, Sri Lanka faced a determined Zimbabwe side at Kimberley. The match was thrilling, with Sri Lanka eventually prevailing by 39 runs (DLS Method). Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 204, thanks to crucial contributions from Duinura Kalupahana (60) and Sharajun Shanmuganathan (41). Despite a fighting effort from Zimbabwe’s batters, the Sri Lankan bowling attack held their nerve to secure a significant victory.
Meanwhile, New Zealand asserted their dominance in Group D with a convincing win against Nepal. The Kiwis showcased their all-round prowess, excelling in all three game departments. After posting an imposing total, New Zealand’s bowlers wreaked havoc on Nepal’s batting lineup, eventually dismantling them for a modest score. The comprehensive victory bolstered New Zealand’s position in the group and sent a strong message to their rivals in the tournament.
In a rain-affected contest at the picturesque Kimberley Oval, Sri Lanka overcame an ordinary start to register a resounding victory against a spirited Zimbabwe side. The match was an enthralling spectacle for cricket enthusiasts. The Island nation fought hard to secure a crucial win in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
The Zimbabwean team posed a significant challenge to the Sri Lankan side, which was under pressure early in the game. However, displaying remarkable resilience and grit, Sri Lanka navigated through the challenging circumstances to emerge triumphant, thanks to some stellar performances from their key players. The victory was a testament to Sri Lanka’s fighting spirit and ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the game.
Meanwhile, the second game of the day in East London saw New Zealand assert their dominance over Nepal with a convincing 64-run victory. Nepal’s spirited “Rhinos” showcased moments of brilliance but ultimately fell short against a clinical New Zealand side. Despite their best efforts to stay in contention, Nepal’s campaign was derailed by the Kiwis’ superior all-round performance. This resulted in a comprehensive win that bolstered their position in the tournament and sent a strong message to their rivals.
In the match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe’s captain, Matthew Schenker, decided that his team would bowl first. He believed that his team had good bowlers who could help them win.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers started the game very well. Kohl Eksteen and Anesu Kamuriwo got rid of Sri Lanka’s opening batters early in the game, which made things difficult for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s fourth-wicket pair, Ravishan de Silva and Rusanad Gamage, tried to improve their team’s situation. They played carefully and added 54 runs to the score. But the Zimbabwe bowlers didn’t let them take control of the game.
Panashe Taruvinga and Ryan Simbi took crucial wickets for Zimbabwe and put Sri Lanka under more pressure. Dinura Kalupahana and Sharujan Shanmuganathan tried their best to score runs for Sri Lanka. They added 80 runs to the score, but after Kalupahana got out, Sri Lanka’s innings ended with a total score of 204.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers started well when it was their turn to bowl. Vishwa Lahiru gave only three runs in his first four overs and took a crucial wicket. Malsha Tharupathi showcased an impressive bowling performance, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s success in taking two additional wickets. When Zimbabwe was in trouble, the weather worsened, and the players had to stop playing for a while.
The game started again later, but now Zimbabwe needed 129 runs from 22 overs to win. They tried to hit big shots to score quickly, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling didn’t let them do that. Zimbabwe’s team was all out, and Sri Lanka won the match.
Taking a page from Pakistan’s playbook, New Zealand elected to bat first against Nepal, demonstrating a similar strategic approach in yesterday’s match. As the Kiwi openers confidently took their positions on the pitch, it became evident that the wicket favored easy ball-bat contact.
Tom Jones and Luke Watson established a solid 53-run partnership during the initial Powerplay, showcasing their offensive prowess. However, Nepal’s Subash Bhandari turned the tide by dismissing Watson with his spin bowling in the 11th over.
Initially needing more discipline in the early overs, the Rhinos seized the momentum following Watson’s departure. Tilak Bhandari’s leg-spin mastery produced an exquisite delivery to dismiss the well-settled Jones, leaving the young Black Caps in a precarious position. Adding to their mounting troubles, Oliver Tewatiya fell for a duck.
Amidst the chaos, New Zealand captain Oscar Jackson and Snehith Reddy united at the crease to weather the storm. The pair gradually regained control, with Jackson taking charge by dispatching a series of impressive sixes. As the Kiwis appeared to be stabilizing, a breakthrough came in the form of Aakash Tripathi’s dismissal of Jackson. To further compound New Zealand’s woes, Gulshan Jha delivered a decisive double strike, reigniting Nepal’s hopes of a potential victory.
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, Snehith Reddy anchored the New Zealand innings with a dream performance. He skillfully guided the team to amass an impressive 99 runs in the final 10 overs, single-handedly elevating the Kiwis to a competitive total. Reddy’s outstanding 147* was punctuated by a dazzling array of 11 boundaries and sixes, leaving spectators in awe of his talent.
As New Zealand took to the field, they quickly made their presence felt with wickets tumbling early on. Sharp catches from Zac Cumming and Lachlan Stackpole contributed to the dismissals of Mason Clarke and Matt Rowe, with Stackpole’s extraordinary one-handed catch standing out as a testament to his athleticism and reflexes. Despite the early setbacks, Nepal’s Arjun Kumal and Dev Khanal dug deep, forging a resilient partnership to keep their side’s hopes alive.
Khanal’s aggressive approach aided Nepal’s progress. He maintained an upbeat pace until he eventually succumbed to the bowling of his counterpart, Oscar Jackson. The dismissal triggered a domino effect, as Uttam Magar soon fell prey to Ewald Schreuder’s bowling in the following over.
The arrival of Gulshan Jha at the crease instilled renewed optimism for Nepal. However, the seasoned left-hander uncharacteristically squandered his wicket to a sub-par delivery from Zac Cumming, giving New Zealand an opportunity to seize control. Despite the mounting challenges, Kumal remained steadfast and produced a valiant 90-run knock, studded with 12 boundaries. Driven by a never-say-die attitude, Nepal’s tail-enders battled until the end, ensuring their side avoided being bowled out.
Show your favorite team some love! Visit our site to let them know you’re cheering them on.
Top Cricket News | Cricket World Cup | Cricket World Cup News | Bangladesh Premier League | Big Bash League | India Priemier League | Pakistan Super League | T20 Blast
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates