Pakistan were made to work for their 3 wicket win beating Sri Lanka in a crucial group D encounter to make their way to the quarter-final of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup earlier today.
Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka came in to this game knowing nothing but a win would do if either one was to qualification for the quarter finals of the Under 19 Cricket World Cup.
On a typical gloomy day at Whangarei, Pakistan got off to the best start after winning the toss and electing to field as Nipun Dhananjaya failed yet again, falling for just 4 runs in the third over of the game.
Dhananjaya Lakshan followed his partner to the shed as he was caught off the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi for 16 runs off 39 balls.
No sooner, Sri Lanka found themselves in dire straits with the score at 72 for 5 as Krishan Sanjula (16), Kamindu Mendis (3) and Nuwanidu Fernando (9) were sent packing.
Sri Lanka U19s fail the Afghanistan test
Afghanistan U19s defeated Sri Lanka U19s by 32 runs (D/L method)..
Ashan Bandara joined Jehan Daniel at the crease with their backs against the wall. Vice-captain Daniel stroked his way to a rapid 53 off 70 ball with 4 boundaries and a six, however, once he lost his wicket to leave Sri Lanka on148/6, the Lankans knew their end was near.
One settled batsman followed the other as the right hander from St. Aloysius, Bandara – the only other batsman to register a 20+ score — was dismissed for a steady 37 off 56 as Sri Lanka’s score read 152 for 7.
The procession continued as the Lankan youngsters were bowled out for just 188 in 48.2 overs leaving the game tilted heavily in favor of Pakistan.
Suleman Shafqat and Shaheen Shah Afridi were the standout bowlers for Pakistan with 3 for 29 and 2 for 41 respectively.
Minus Kalana Perera, Sri Lanka came out to bowl with their work cut out having to defend a low target of 189.
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Sri Lanka under 19 left-arm fast bowler Kalana Perera…
Thisaru Rashmika got the Lankans off to the best possible start as he clean bowled Rohail Nazir off the fourth ball of the second innings and the first ball he faced.
A solid partnership of 61 between Ali Zaryab Asif and Mohammad Taha for the 4th wicket steadied the Pakistan innings after Pakistan slumped to 3 for 57.
Santhush Gunathilake dismissed Taha for 24 off 38 in the 25th over of the game. Sri Lanka’s best bowler on the day, Thisaru Rashmika got the better out of Saad Khan for 1 run off 2 balls giving Sri Lanka a ray of hope of a comeback.
Ali Zaryab Asif was the next to go as he fell to Nipun Malinga for a well compiled 59 off 94 balls with four boundaries. Afridi followed suit as Pakistan were down to 7 wickets with their score on 165 in the 40th over of the game.
This was the opening Sri Lanka needed, however, captain Hasan Khan came to the party, leading from the front. He along with Muhammad Musa –finishing with 2 sixes to win– took Pakistan to a well-deserved win leaving Sri Lanka reeling and dropping down to the Plate competition with the loss.
