Sri Lanka took on Bangladesh in the 4th under 19 ODI played at the Sher- e- Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh, yesterday. Sri Lanka under the captaincy of Kusal Mendis gave the Tigers a formidable battle to beat them by 6 wickets.
Bangladesh who won the toss decided to bat first, totaled 244 for 8 in 47.4 overs when rain stopped play giving Sri Lanka a target of 197 runs in 29 overs.
Sadlam Islam Alik and Nazmul Hussain as the opening batsmen scored 17 and 26 runs respectively in a partnership of 46 which was broken by Binura Fernando caught by Kusal Mendis who was instrumental in another catch when Ramesh Mendis removed the second opener Hussain. The top scorer for the home team was Joyraj Emon who scored 58 in 84 balls while Mossadak Hossain once again bludgeoned 47 in 48 deliveries with 6 fours before spinner Ramesh Mendis cleaned bowled him. Yasi Ali Choudry (21) also fell to Mendis who had excellent figures of 5 for 40.
After rain curtailed the game giving Sri Lanka the new target of 197, Minod Bhanuka fell in the second over to Mehedi Hasan but a superb 80 run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrema and Sandun Weerakoddy steadied the chase for Sri Lanka. Sandun Weerakkody was removed in the 7the over falling to the Jobair Hossain and Hasen combination when the score of 84. However it was captain Kusal Mendis in a blistering innings of 44 in 32 balls and Chamika Karunarathne (49 in 47 balls)that took Sri Lanka home to victory at a canter.
Scores in Brief
Bangladesh 244/8 in 47.4 overs (Sadman Islam Anik 17, Nazmul Hosssain 26, Joyraj Sheik 58, Mehedev Hasan 16, Mosaddiak Hossain 47, Yasir Ali Chowdury21, Abu Saveem 17, Mehedi Hasan 16*, Binura Fernando 28/1, Ramesh Mendis 40/5, Sanjika Ridma 39/1, Dinuk Wickremanayake 17/1)
Sri Lanka 200/4 in 22.1 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrame 33, Sandun Weerakkody 42, Chamika Karunarathne 49*, DInuk Wickramanayake 16, Kusal Mendis 45*, Mehedi Hasan 34/1, Mehedy hasan 1)
