Opening batsman Mahmudul Joy posted the highest individual score in the Under-19 Asia Cup 2019 to help Bangladesh top group ‘B’ with a comprehensive 42-run win over Sri Lanka at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa yesterday.
Bangladesh finished the group stage with an unbeaten record and more importantly they will avoid defending champions India in the semi-finals. They will take on Group ‘A’ runners-up Afghanistan on Thursday at the same venue. Sri Lanka meanwhile will take on India at P. Sara Oval also on the same day.
Joy’s 126 is now the highest individual score in this competition surpassing Indian Arjun Azad’s 121 against Pakistan last week.
Joy smashed two sixes and 12 fours in his 140-ball innings. His effort helped Bangladesh to post a competitive total of 273 for seven.
Joy and Tawhid Hridoy added 121 runs for the third wicket that laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s innings while rest of the batting chipped in with useful contributions.
Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka removed Tanzid Hasan for 17 after a brisk start and picked up three wickets including that of Towhid Hridoy who scored 50 off 75 balls.
In Sri Lanka’s reply they were dismissed for 231 in 47.4 overs with Rohan Sanjaya Silva’s fighting knock of 42 being the highest score. Sanjaya hit four fours and two sixes in his 36-ball knock.
Kamil Mishara (33), Ahan Wickramasinghe (33) and skipper Nipun Dananjaya (36) all have been in good form in the tournament but failed to make an impact cracking under pressure.
It could have been lot worse for Sri Lanka as they slumped to 183 for nine but a 48-run stand for the last wicket between Rohan Sanjaya and Dilshan Madushanka saw them post 231.
In the other game, despite not earning a semi-final berth in the Under-19 Asia Cup, Nepal beat United Arab Emirates by 160 runs at Free Trade Zone grounds in Katunayake yesterday.
Sagar Dhakal’s (3/20) handed Nepal (U19) their first win of the tournament as UAE (U19) were dismissed for 125.
A wicket in the first delivery, followed by a second in the fourth over by UAE bowlers had Nepal struggling at 8/2. But skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel and Mahamad Asif Sheikh restored some control. Paudel scored 67 off 84 balls with nine fours and one six and Sheikh 45.
A quick fire 70-run stand for the 8th wicket off just 56 deliveries between Rasid Khan (44) and Kamal Singh (41) consolidated Nepal U19’s middle order and they finished their innings on 285/9.
UAE were blown away for 125. Nepal captain Paudel was the Man of the Match.
Results:
*At Moratuwa: Bangladesh U19 beat Sri Lanka U19 by 42 runs.
Bangladesh under 19s: 273/7 in 50 overs (MH. Joy 126, T. Hridoy 50, D. Madushanka 3-54)
Sri Lanka under 19s: 231 in 47.4 overs (K. Mishara 33, A. Wickramasinghe 33, N. Dananjaya 36, R. Silva 42, R. Hasan 3-49)
* At Katunayake: Nepal U19 beat UAE U19 by 160 runs.
Nepal under 19s: 285/9 in 50 overs (A. Sheikh 45, R. Paudel 67, S. Jora 48, R. Khan 44, K. Airee 41, M. Tahir 3-62, S. Sharma 3-26)
UAE under 19s: 125 in 34.4 overs (S. Dhakal 3-20)
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