By Srian Obeyesekere

Opening batsman Pulindu Perera led from the front scoring a brilliant 156 off only 96 balls as Sri Lanka U19 defeated Pakistan U19 by 58 runs in the first one-dayer held at National Bank Stadium Karachi. Sri starred with the bat hitting a magnificent century.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka U19 ran up 309 runs in 49.4 overs dominated by Pulindu Perera who hammered 17 boundaries and 4 sixes. Ravishan de Silva made the next best contribution of 30 runs in 74 balls, including one boundary.

Off-spinner Naveed Ahmed Khan was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers picking 3 wickets.

Pakistan U19 could only score 251 runs off 45.4 overs with Shamyl Hussain top scoring with 98 off 120 balls hitting 9 boundaries followed by and Arafat Minhas 84 off 73 inclusive of 11 boundaries and a six figuring in a 153-run partnership for the fifth wicket. But Dinura Kalupahana checked the Pakistan batting line-up by a 4-wicket haul for 32 runs. Garuka Sanketh played a superb supporting role taking 3 wickets for 42 runs.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka U19 309 (49.4 Overs)

(Pulindu Perera 156, Ravishan de Silva 30; Naveed Ahmed Khan 3/52, Mohammad Ibtisam 2/41, Ahmed Hussain 2/52, Arafat Minhas 2/61)

Pakistan U19 251 (45.4 Overs)

(Shamyl Hussain 98, Arafat Minhas 84; Dinura Kalupahana 4/32, Garuka Sanketh 3/42)