India topped Group A of the ICC Women's U19 World Cup 2025 with a win against Sri Lanka, even as West Indies secured there spot in the Super Six stage.
Group Stage ✅
— ICC (@ICC) January 23, 2025
Super Six 🔜
Here are the teams that have made it to the next round at the #U19WorldCup in Malaysia 🏏 pic.twitter.com/gYyV8RUmWC
On the final day of group stage, four teams were in action in Kuala Lumpur.
Hosts Malaysia's hopes of progression were drowsed after they failed to beat West Indies in a must-win encounter which allowed West Indies to lock their spot for the Super Six stage.
In the second encounter of the day, India took on Sri Lanka in Group A. The defending champions managed to ease past Sri Lanka by 60 runs to ensure their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Here is a detailed overview of the two games on Day 6 of the World Cup.
West Indies beat Malaysia by 53 runs
MALAYSIA v WEST INDIES, MATCH CENTRE
The West Indies are moving on, qualifying for the Super Sixes as they pick up their first World Cup win.
In what was a win-and-in scenario for both sides, the Caribbean outfit held their nerve to take care of hosts Malaysia by 53 runs in Kuala Lumpur, finishing third in Group A.
West Indies sealed their berth in the Super Six stage of the #U19WorldCup with a comprehensive win over hosts Malaysia 🙌
— ICC (@ICC) January 23, 2025
Watch the Match Highlights 🎥https://t.co/wkjZIGCmym
Malaysia made a strong account of themselves early, with an energetic fielding display that kept the West Indies top order in check. They were held to 37-1 at the 10-over mark, but West Indies managed to raise the tempo as the innings continued to unfold.
Opener Asabi Callender led the way with 30 off 42, before being beaten with a beautiful ball from Nur Izzatul Syafiqa.
The batting side were assisted by the 27 runs in extras Malaysia conceded. But the hosts fought valiantly, taking seven wickets to restrict West Indies to 112-7 at the end of the 20 overs.
Malaysia got off to a promising start with the bat, held together by captain Nur Dania Syuhada's presence at the crease. But when she departed for 12 off 17 balls, the line-up collapsed.
The hosts were all out for 59 off 18 overs, thanks to some strong bowling from West Indies skipper Samara Ramnath who took 4/6 from her four overs.
Malaysia will hold their heads high after showing improvement throughout the tournament.
They'll now prepare to play Nepal in a 4th Place Play-off match tomorrow.
The West Indies move forward and will play Australia this saturday in their first Super Sixes match.
India beat Sri Lanka by 60 runs
INDIA v SRI LANKA, MATCH CENTRE
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, but India struck early, reducing them to 26-5 by the end of the powerplay. However, inclement weather interrupted the game with India at 17/2 off 4.2 overs. After the delay, India reached 48-3 at the 10-over mark.
Sri Lanka's bowlers regrouped in the second half, claiming six quick wickets, and India managed to add 70 runs in the final 10 overs, setting a target of 119. Trisha Gongadi top-scored for India with 49 off 44 balls, just missing a half-century. Pramudi Methsara, Limansa Thilakaratne, and Aseni Thalagune each took two wickets as India lost nine wickets in their innings.
In reply, India’s bowlers were sharp from the start, reducing Sri Lanka to 26/5 by the end of the powerplay, pacers Shabnam and Joshitha VJ leading the charge with two wickets each.
Three in three!
— ICC (@ICC) January 23, 2025
India continue their unbeaten run at the #U19WorldCup with a commanding win over Sri Lanka 💪
➡️ https://t.co/exKhQncKZf pic.twitter.com/hrWaxI9N0f
India spinners joined the party after the powerplay, getting three more scalps to leave Sri Lanka languishing at 39/8 at the midway mark.
With the target out of sight, Aseni Thalagune and Pramudi Methsara offered resistance with the willow and ensured that the Island nation weren't bowled out in the contest. Both sides are into Super Six stage, with Sri Lanka all set to feature against Scotland while India face-off against Bangladesh on 26 January, Sunday.
Super Sixes take shape
Today's action finalised the makeup of the World Cup's Super Sixes stage, with 12 out of the 16 teams progressing to the next phase of the tournament.
Find the 'matches' link below, as the schedule for the next week continues falling into place.