The Sri Lanka U19s managed to scrape through to a thrilling one-run win against Nepal U19s in the opening match of the U19 Youth Asia Cup 2016 at the NCC grounds today.
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Nepalese vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s man-of-the-match winning knock of 90 off 99 deliveries was not sufficient for the young Nepali outfit to pull off a stunning, historical win as the boys from Nepal were bowled out for 226 chasing the 227 posted by the Lankans.
Photos: Sri Lanka U19s v Nepal U19s – U19 Youth Asia Cup 2016
Photos of the Sri Lanka U19s v Nepal U19s – U19 Youth Asia Cup 2016
After cruising to 196 for 5, Sri Lanka dragged the game back to claim the final five wickets for just 30 runs. Needing 8 runs to win in the final over with one wicket in hand, Singh Airee smashed the second ball of the over down the ground to hit his only six but was given out LBW in the very next ball, handing heartbreak to all Nepali fans.
After the first five wickets fell cheaply, Singh Airee and Avinash Karn steadied the chase,adding 84 for the sixth wicket before the Lankan captain Kamindu Mendis took two quick wickets to halt the chase. Left-arm seamer Rashmika Dilshan bowled a superb penultimate over for the hosts conceding only 2 runs while two batsmen were sent back courtesy run-outs.
Earlier after being sent into bat, Sri Lanka U19s lost Vishva Chathuranga in the very first ball of the match when he was trapped right in front of the stumps by fast bowler and cousin of the man-of-the-match, Kamal Singh Airee.
Josephian opening batsman Revan Kelly and Trinitian Hasitha Boyagoda added a much-needed stand of 68 for the 2nd wicket before the former holed out to mid-on off Dipendra Singh Airee for 19. Boyagoda continued to play glorious, exquisite strokes, especially off his pads to top score for the home team scoring 83 off 106 deliveries with 12 fours.
Mazenodian Krishan Sanjula made 28 and was involved in a crucial 64-run partnership for the 4th wicket to add stability to the Lankan innings. Both Boyagoda and Sanjula fell within four deliveries as Nepal struck back in the middle overs. Sri Lankan Vice-Captain Ashen Bandara rallied around with the lower order to steer Sri Lanka to 227 for 8 from their allotted 50 overs.
Bandara remained unbeaten on 48 off 47 balls with 5 fours. Kamal Singh Airee was the pick of the bowlers grabbing 3 wickets for 43 runs while tall off-spinner Pawan Sarraf captured 2 important scalps.
Sri Lanka U19s will now take on Malaysia U19s tomorrow, (16th December) at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.
WATCH LIVE: Sri Lanka U19s vs Malaysia U19s
Sri Lanka U19s – 227/8 in 50 overs: Hasitha Boyagoda 83, Krishan Sanjula 28, Ashen Bandara 48*, Revan Kelly 19, Kamal Singh Airee 3/43, Pawan Sarraf 2/27.
Nepal U19s – 226 all out in 49.3 overs: Aadil Khan 39, Dipendra Singh Airee 90, Avinash Karn 40, Kamindu Mendis 3/37.
India U19 vs Malaysia U19
Defending champions and title favourites, India U19s massacred Malaysia U19s by 235 runs in their Group A match at CCC grounds.
India U19s – 289/8 in 50 overs: Prithvi Shaw 89, Himanshu Rana 31, Abhishek Sharma 59, Het Patel 58, Rahul Chahar 34, Muhammed Amir 3/33, Syed Aziz 2/84.
Malaysia U19s – 54 all out in 22.3 overs: Arjoon Thillanathan 14, Muhammed Hafiz 14, Kamlesh Nagarkoti 4/12, Abhishek Sharma 2/9, Yash Thakur 2/19.
Pakistan U19 vs Singapore U19
Pakistan U19s romped to a comfortable 9-wicket victory over minnows, Singapore U19s in their Group B match at Galle International Stadium.
Singapore U19s – 78 all out in 25.1 overs: Rohan Rangarajan 22, Shaheen Shah Afradi 3/27, Muhammed Hasnain 2/31.
Pakistan U19s – 80/1 in 9.3 overs: Mansoor Ali 56*.
Bangladesh U19 vs Afghanistan U19
Qazi Onik bowled Bangladesh U19s to an important 4-wicket win over Afghanistan U19s in their Group B match played at Uyanwatta Stadium, Matara.
Afghanistan U19s – 146 all out in 48.3 overs: Nisar Wahdat 32, Naveen-Ul-Haq 27, Qazi Onik 4/22, Mukidul Islam 3/29.
Bangladesh U19s – 150/6 in 43.1 overs: Saif Hassan 67, Rayan Rafsan Rahman 32, Zahir Khan 2/21.
