Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama bagged five wickets as Sri Lanka U19s recorded their second win in the Youth Asia Cup 2017 beating ‘giant-killers’ Afghanistan U19s by 61 runs in their game played at Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia on Saturday.
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The Afghans were full of confidence coming into this game after bundling out the Pakistanis for 59 yesterday while the Lankans rolled over UAE.
After a delayed start due to rain, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first as the match was reduced to 42 overs per side.
The Sri Lankan openers Dananjaya Lakshan and Hasitha Boyagoda started off solidly, adding 59 runs before Richmondite Lakshan was sent-back courtesy a run-out. Lakshan hit 1 six and 1 four during his 35-ball 24. Trinitian Boyagoda top-scored for Sri Lanka U19s with a fine 84-ball 53 with three fours and a six.
As the Afghan spinners came into the attack, Sri Lanka U19s started losing wickets at regular intervals but vice-captain Jehan Daniel stroked a valuable 36 off 40 balls to give the finishing touches to the innings as Sri Lanka ended on 192 for 8 in their allotted quota of overs.
Afghanistan U19s started cautiously before first-change right-arm seamer Daniel dismantled the opening partnership. From then on, the Afghan batting had no answer to the Lankan bowlers, who were disciplined and clinical throughout the course of the innings.
Daniel ended up with 2 for 20 while Jayawickrama demolished the Afghanistan batting lineup, claiming 5 for 17 in his 6.5 overs to steer the young Lankan outfit led by Kamindu Mendis to their second win in the tournament.
Sebastianite Jayawickrama was named Man of the Match for his terrific bowling spell.
Sri Lanka U19s will take on Pakistan U19s on Monday, 13th November in their final group match.
Sri Lanka U19s 196/8 (42) Hasitha Boyagoda 53, Jehan Daniel 36, Dhananjaya Lakshan 24, Nuwanidu Fernando 19, Naveen Ul Haq 2/57, Ibrahim Zadran 2/24.
Afghanistan U19s 135 (33.5) Ibrahim Zadran 27, Darwish Rasooli 50, Praveen Jayawickrama 5/17, Jehan Daniel 2/20, Kevin Koththigoda 1/29.
Result – Sri Lanka U19s won by 61 runs.
