Captain Charith Asalanka and Vice-captain Sammu Ashan stroked half-centuries for the Sri Lanka U19s as they beat the Nepal U19s by 65 runs in their warm-up game ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup which starts on the 27th of January.
On a chilly Monday morning at Savar, Dhaka, Nepal skipper Raju Rilal sent in the opposition to take first lease of the game in this 45-over encounter. The Lankan openers, Kavin Bandara and Kamindu Mendis made identical scores of 14 each before both of them fell to the off-spin of Sunil Dhamala.
One-drop batsman Avishka Fernando made a dawdling 11 before he was stumped off Sandeep Lamichhane’s bowling. Sri Lanka’s top two, Charith and Sammu then constructed a valuable 83-run stand for the 4th wicket.
Charith fell after making a stylish 71 off 68 balls with 10 fours. Sammu batted with the lower middle order and tried to give an explosive finish to the innings but a few run-outs and careless batting curtailed the Lankan innings to only 230 for 9. Sammu remained unbeaten on 81 from 74 balls as he smashed 4 fours and 4 sixes during his responsible knock.
Chasing 231 runs to win, the Nepalese batsmen got off to a decent start adding 40 within 6 overs but skipper Charith Asalanka struck when he removed dangerous Sunil Dhamala for 26. After being 58 for 1, Nepal lost their way courtesy tight spin-bowling and excellent fielding by the Lankans.
None of the batsmen found it easy to put away the Lankan bowlers as they continued to strangle the Nepalese scoring rate. Skipper Raju Rilal and Dipendra Singh made 31 and 33 respectively but the Lankans defended their score convincingly. The four run-outs inflicted by the Lankans in the Nepal innings speaks of the high standards of fielding by the islanders.
Apart of Asalanka’s two wickets, Lahiru Kumara, Jehan Daniel, Thilan Nimesh and Wanindu Hasaranga grabbed one-wicket apiece.
Sri Lanka under 19s will start their World Cup campaign on 28th January at Sylhet against Canada.
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Sri Lanka U19 – 230/9 in 45 overs: Sammu Ashan 81*, Charith Asalanka 71, Sunil Dhamala 2/27, Sandeep Lamichhane 2/61.
Nepal U19 – 165 all out in 42.1 overs: Raju Rilal 31, Dipendra Singh 33*, Sunil Dhamala 26, Charith Asalanka 2/11, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/9.
