Sri Lanka U23 team competed in their 1st game of the South Asian Games 2019 Cricket competition and recorded a hard-fought victory by 6 wickets against Nepal, thanks to the former Anandian Shammu Ashan’s knock of 72.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka invited Nepal to bat first at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur and Nepal amassed a threatening 172 runs at the conclusion of 20 overs.
Video – Sammu Ashan’s crucial half-century
Dipendra Singh Airee was the man with the blazing bat for Nepal as he bludgeoned the Sri Lankan attack to all parts on his way to a 44-ball 72 including 3 sixes. With the charge led by Dipendra Singh Airee Nepal accumulated 72 runs in the last 5 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were in early trouble as they were reduced to 3-49 in the 6th over by the Nepal seamers, sending their main batters, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis back to the dressing room. But wicket keeper batsman Nishan Madushka and Shammu Ashan’s 91-run partnership off 66 balls brought Sri Lanka back into the game.
Madushka stroked a useful 46 while Ashan carved a Sri Lankan victory with a rapid 72 including 6 massive sixes taking Sri Lanka over the winning mark in 19.1 overs.
Sri Lanka Men’s next assignment will be against Bhutan tomorrow at 12.45pm in the same ground.
Read More : SLC Men’s and Women’s squads for SAG 2019 announced
(Note that teams representing Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are Under-23 teams while the countries Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives are represented by their national teams)
Sri Lanka Women fail to impress against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka Women’s team which is consisted of Under-23 players and led by Harshitha Madavi, couldn’t defend 122 against Bangladesh at Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara.
Umesha Thimashini shone with the bat for Sri Lanka as she made a brilliant half century to guide Sri Lanka to 122 in 20 overs. 19-year-old Nahida Akter was the chief destroyer for Bangladesh as she bagged 4 wickets for just 32 runs.
Bangladesh reached their target in 18.3 overs as the Sri Lanka bowlers failed to build pressure from both ends. Bangladesh national cap Sanjida Islam made the headlines in batting for her country with an unbeaten half century as Bangladesh passed the winning margin with just 3 wickets down.
Sri Lanka Women will face Maldives tomorrow at 12.45pm at the same ground.
