The Sri Lanka U19 team overcame a hapless Zimbabwe U19 unit by 240 runs in the 7th match of the triangular series which also involves the hosts, South Africa.
Weather interruptions meant the game was reduced to a 45 over affair and the Lankans taking first lease of the wicket, couldn’t have asked for a better start as their openers Vishva Chathuranga and skipper Avishka Fernando put on 191 runs for the first wicket inside 29 overs.
Fernando was the more aggressive of the two as he made 108 off just 90 balls inclusive of 14 fours and a six while Chathuranga played a good supporting role as he ended up with 103 which included 12 boundaries.
The partnership set up a good platform for the rest of the batting to finish things off as Krishan Sanjula capitalized making a swashbuckling knock of 58 which included 5 fours and 2 sixes to push the Lankan total over the 300 mark in their allotted 45 overs.
The Zimbabweans lost their way early on in the chase when Rashmika Dilshan removed opener Jayden Schadendorf for a duck.
They never managed to recover from then on losing wickets at regular intervals to be bundled out for just 63 runs inside 20 overs.
Peterite quick Manelkar De Silva bowled brilliantly to capture three wickets while Praveen Jayawickrama, Mishen Silva and Hareen Weerasinghe picked up two wickets each.
The win also secured Sri Lanka’s spot in the final to be played on Saturday(28) against the hosts South Africa, who already booked their place in the final with 3 wins from 4 games.
The Sri Lanka U19s will play the South Africa U19s in the last game of the group stage on thursday(26).
Sri Lanka U19 303/6 (45) Avishka Fernando 108, Vishva Chathuranga 103, Krishan Sanjula 58, Jayden Schadendorf 2/50
vs
Zimbabwe U19 63 (19.3) Manelker De Silva 3/24, Praveen Jayawickrama 2/02, Mishen Silva 2/10, Hareen Weerasingha 2/15
