Kaushika Kumarasinghe's 5-Wicket Blitz Demolishes Malaysia as Sri Lanka U19 Cruise to 9-Wicket Win
Kaushika Kumarasinghe's devastating 5 for 30 bundled Malaysia Under-19 out for 88 before opener Pulindu Perera blasted a rapid 49* to seal an emphatic 9-wicket victory for Sri Lanka in Al Amerat.
AL AMERAT, Oman — Sri Lanka Under-19 launched the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 with a crushing statement of intent on Thursday morning, steamrolling Malaysia Under-19 by nine wickets in the tournament opener at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2). Powered by a sensational five-wicket demolition job from left-arm orthodox wizard Kaushika Kumarasinghe (5/30), the islanders rolled over the Southeast Asian qualifiers for a paltry 88 inside 29 overs before explosive opener Pulindu Perera (49* off 38 balls) propelled his side across the finish line with 217 balls to spare.
Having won the toss under humid desert skies, Sri Lanka skipper Mahith Perera had no hesitation in inserting Malaysia to bat on a fresh, lively Ministry Turf 2 strip. While Malaysia survived the opening salvo with spirited intent, Kumarasinghe's introduction in the 14th over completely broke open the contest, sparking a catastrophic collapse where Malaysia surrendered their final seven wickets for just 34 runs.
Match Summary & Key Metrics
| Team | Innings | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia U19 | 1st Innings | 88 all out | 28.1 | 3.12 | Muhammad Akram (24 off 46b, 3x4) |
| Sri Lanka U19 | 1st Innings (Target 89) | 91/1 | 13.5 | 6.57 | Pulindu Perera (49* off 38b, 7x4, 2x6) |
Kumarasinghe's Spin Masterclass Flummoxes Malaysia
Malaysia had shown initial resistance through openers Muhammad Muqri and captain Muhammad Azri Azhar, battling to 54 for 3 in the 17th over. But the match swung violently once Kumarasinghe began finding sharp drift and steep grip off the dry surface. Deploying subtle variations in pace and dipping flight, Kumarasinghe trapped three middle-order batters in front of the stumps and rattled the woodwork twice in a devastating six-over spell.
Complementing Kumarasinghe was right-arm seamer Rasheed Ahamed (2/14 in 5 overs), whose disciplined lines denied Malaysian batters any scoring freedom. With their tail pinned down, Malaysia succumbed in the 29th over, leaving Sri Lanka a straightforward target of 89 runs for victory.
Pulindu Perera Leads Ruthless Chase
Determined to maximize their Net Run Rate right out of the gate, Sri Lanka attacked the chase with ferocious intent. Opener Pulindu Perera tore into the Malaysian new-ball attack, cutting and pulling with swagger. Perera cracked seven boundaries and two towering sixes over mid-wicket, racing to an unbeaten 49 at a blistering strike rate of 128.94.
Partnering him was Dimantha Mahavithana (24 off 31 balls), who kept the scoreboard ticking at more than six runs per over. Although Hamzah Panggi earned Malaysia a solitary consolation breakthrough by removing Mahavithana, Sri Lanka knocked off the target in just 13.5 overs to secure two points and an astronomical Net Run Rate of +4.818.
Tournament Implications & What Lies Ahead
With this resounding nine-wicket bonus-point victory, Sri Lanka took immediate pole position in Group B, ahead of Afghanistan who also secured a massive 113-run win over Bangladesh in Match 2. Sri Lanka now turn their attention to defending champions Bangladesh in a blockbuster Match 6 showdown at Ministry Turf 1, while Malaysia must regroup quickly ahead of their clash against Afghanistan.
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