Left-handed opener, Kavin Bandara’s 91 and fast-bowler Udith Madhushan’s 3-wicket haul ensured Sri Lanka under 19s take an incontestable 3-0 lead in the five-match youth ODI series beating Pakistan under 19s by 85 runs in the 4th match played at SSC grounds on Friday.
The start of the match was delayed by over 2 hours due to overnight rain. Pakistani skipper Imran Rafi won the toss and opted to field in this 36-over encounter.
The opening combination of Kavin Bandara & Thanuka Dabare once again prospered scoring 49 for the first wicket. Lumbini College left-hand stroke maker, Dabare fell after scoring only 25 from 26 balls.
Avishka Fernando failed to make a sizeable contribution when he was dismissed by Hasan Mohsin. Kavin together with Kamindu Mendis constructed a 94-run stand for the 3rd wicket which set the ball rolling for the hosts’.
Richmondite, Kamindu Mendis on his comeback game batted brilliantly to score a 43-ball 39.
After the dismissal of Kavin Bandara for a well-compiled 91 off 93 deliveries including 10 fours and a six, Sri Lanka under 19s slumped to 216 all out from 172 for 4.
None of the late-order batsmen cashed in on the opportunity to impress the junior selectors. Sameen Gul was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 wickets for 37 while Hasan Mohnsin and Shadab Khan picked up 2 scalps each.
Chasing 217 runs to win, Dharmaraja fast-bowler Lahiru Samarakoon struck immediately in the first over removing Abdullah Shafique for no score.
Udith Madhushan is a genuine fast-bowler from Debarawawa Maha Vidyalaya, Tissamaharama and he was devastating playing only his first youth ODI. He leaked 41 runs but picked up 3 important wickets to derail the Pakistan chase.
Lower-order batsmen, Hayathullah & Shadab Khan gave some respect to the Pakistan score card which was disappointing from their point of view.
Thomian leg-spinner Sachitha Jayathilake chipped in taking 2 scalps in the middle-overs for the hosts.
Sri Lanka under 19s have now secured the trophy with the final game scheduled on 25th October at SSC grounds.
Sri Lanka U19 – 216 all out in 35.5 overs: Kavin Bandara 91, Kamindu Mendis 39, Thanuka Dabare 25, Sameen Gul 3/37, Shadab Khan 2/34, Hasan Mohsin 2/29.
Pakistan U19 – 131 all out in 29.5 overs: Hayathullah 34, Shadab Khan 23, Zeeshan Malik 24, Udith Madhushan 3/41, Sachitha Jayathilake 2/11, Lahiru Samarakoon 2/20.
