Under the artificial lights at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, Sri Lanka Emerging Team led by Angelo Perera cruised to a comfortable five-wicket win over the Pakistan Emerging Team in the final of the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Tournament 2017 worked off today (Monday).
Chasing a paltry target of 134 for the title, the Islanders got over the winning line with 157 balls remaining despite minor hiccups in the middle order.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Mohommad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat on a flat surface. The Sri Lankans were brilliant from the onset as they picked up four early wickets in the space of 12 overs.
Tamil Union seamer Chamika Karunaratne gave the Lankans just the start they needed with the new ball grabbing two early wickets in his first spell but his fielding stood out the most when he held onto a stunner at mid-off to dismiss Zafar Gohar. Wanindu Hasaranga dived to his right and pocketed an airborne catch in the 8th over to dismiss Harris Sohail. The young Lankans were simply brilliant in the field!
The Pakistani batting lineup struggled to deliver and they eventually folded up for a hapless 133 in 42.1 overs. Crafty off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya was the most impressive with the ball taking 3 crucial scalps, while right-arm leggie Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 2 wickets to restrict the opponents.
Skipper Mohommad Rizwan and Usama Mir were the major highlights for the Pakistan innings as they both chipped in with 26 runs.
Chasing a below-par target to clinch the Cup, the Lankans came out to bat in a positive frame of mind as the openers gave them an ideal start.
Right-handed Avishka Fernando was the first to be dismissed when he fell for 17 runs, while in-form batting sensation Sadeera Samarawickrama stroked a blistering 45 off 42 deliveries with 8 elegant boundaries to guide the Islanders to victory.
Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and at one stage found themselves in a spot of bother at 98 for 5 but it was the stylish left-hander Kithruwan Vithanage and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga who steered the Lankans home adding 36 runs for the 6th wicket.
Pakistan Emerging XI – 133 (42.1) Mohammad Rizwan 26, Usama Mir 26, Hammad Azam 25, Khushdil Shah 20, Shehan Jayasuriya 3/22, Wanidu Hasaranga 2/13, Chamika Karunaratne 2/20.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI – 134/5 (23.5) Sadeera Samarawickrama 45, Wanindu Hasaranga 22*, Kithruwan Vithanage 20*, Sameen Gul 2/33.
- Player of the match – Shehan Jayasuriya
- Player of the series – Charith Asalanka
