Lankan teenagers join the party

By M. Shamil Amit

The Sri Lanka Under 19 team emulated the seniors when they defeated the Bangladesh Under 19 side by six wickets in the second and final Youth test match concluded at the Police grounds in Colombo yesterday.

Sri Lankan U-19 skipper Sachitra Pathiran in action. Pic by Gemunu Wellage

The Bangladeshis put in a better batting performance as they tried to make a match of it. They were strongly placed on 259 for 5 from their overnight score of 183 for 4 but a customary late order collapse saw them losing the remaining five wickets for the addition of only 44 runs to be bowled out for 303.

This left an easy victory target of 87 runs for the local team which they reached for the loss of four wickets. Bangladesh after being bundled out for a meagre 97 in the first innings, being made to follow on made a valiant fight back. Helped by three productive partnerships they were able to make a respectable 183 for 4. Thanks to two solid partnerships which saw Ashraful Aziz being involved in both. The first was for the fifth wicket that of 59 runs in 106 balls between Tapash Gosh and Aziz and the other of 50 for the sixth wicket in just 49 balls between Aziz and Nasir Hossain.

Aziz made a top score of 63 from 80 balls inclusive of eight boundaries and a six. The late order batting failed to take advantage of what the early batsmen did.

The Sri Lankans on the other hand were successful in both matches posting scores of over 300 runs which put the breaks on the visitors and made their challenge a bit more difficult. With Sri Lanka winning the Youth Test series 1-0. The two teams will now join India who is due to arrive today in the island to contest a Tri Nation limited over tournament due to begin from July 19 at the Police Park with the final scheduled to be played on July 28 at the Colts grounds.

Tri Nation schedule – July 19 – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at Police Park. July 20 – Sri Lanka vs India at Police Park. July 22 – Bangladesh vs India at P. Sara Stadium. July Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at P. Sara Stadium. July Sri Lanka vs India at NCC. July 26 – Bangladesh vs India at Police Park. July 28 – Final at Colts grounds.

Sri Lanka Under 19 314 and 87 for 4 (Dinesh Chandimal 38, Ashan Priyanjana 17, Kushal Janith 17 n.o.)

Bangladseh Under 19 97 and 183/4 o’night 303 (Ashraful Aziz 63, Mahmudul Hasan 45, Mohamed Mithun 38, Tapash Gosh 37, Nasir Hossain 28.; Thisara Perera 3 for 39, Sachith Pathirana 3 for 101, Charith Jayampathi 2 for 34)