Sri Lanka under 19s led by Richmondite, Charith Asalanka won the first youth ODI by 7 wickets against Bangladesh under 19s at Colts grounds on Sunday.
Bangladesh skipper Mehedy Hassan won the toss of coin and opted to bat first on a placid surface. Sri Lanka seam bowling attack of Chamika Karunarathne and Lahiru Kumara struck early to send jitters into the visitor’s camp. Opening batsman and left-hander Nazmul Hossain Shanto was the best batsman with a fluent knock of 70 to carry the batting burden. Skipper Mehedy Miraz chipped in with valuable 48 before falling short of a well-deserved half-ton. Right handed batsman, Mohammed Saifuddin made 35 runs at the top of the order.
Skipper and off-spinner Charith Asalanka was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with a 4-wicket haul. Chamika and Lahiru picked up 2 wickets each. The Bangladeshi innings folded in the final over with only 202 runs on the board.
Chasing a below par score of 203, Lankan opening pair of Lasith Lakshan and Kavin Bandara started off positively before Kavin was run-out for 20. Skipper Charith Asalanka coming to bat at number 3 constructed a superb partnership with Lasith to win the game for the hosts. The duo from down south, Lakshan and Asalanka scored 71 and 63 respectively. Both players fell to the bowling of leg-spinner Saleh Ahmed Gazi. Vice-captain Avishka Fernando struck an unbeaten 35 to guide his team comfortably over the line with more than five overs left. Left-handed Sahan Arachchige too remained unbeaten on 7.
Sri Lanka under 19s leads the five-match ODI series 1-0. Next match will be played on 20th January at the same venue.
Chief Scores:
Bangladesh U19 – 202 all out in 49.5 overs: Nazmul Hossain Shanto 70, Mehedy Hasan Miraz 48, Mohammed Saifuddin 35, Charith Asalanka 4/36, Lahiru Kumara 2/29, Chamika Karunaratne 2/36.
Srì Lanka U19 – 205/3 in 44.2 overs: Lasith Lakshan 71, Charith Lakshan 63, Avishka Fernando 35*, Kavin Bandara 20, Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi 2/28.
