By Srian Obeyesekere

Sri Lanka Under-19 failed to enter the semi-finals of the 2023 U19 Asia Cup in Dubai following a 6-wicket loss to Bangladesh in yesterday’s must win game following their defeat to the less fancied UAE previously.

Bangladesh made light of Sri Lanka’s moderate 199 for 9 in 50 overs in reaching 204 for just 4 wickets off 40.5 overs to seal the match on a brilliant 116 by Ashiqur Rahman.

The Lankan batsmen came a cropper against a tidy Bangladesh attack with none able to go past the 20 mark with the highest being 28 by Pulindu Perera 28 followed by Sineth Jayawardena and Vishwa Lahiru 25 each, Rusanda Gamage 24, Ravishan de Silva 21, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Dinura Kalupahana 20 and Ruvishan Perera 19.

Bangladesh’s Wasi Siddiquee came tops with the ball claiming 3/ for 32 with Maruf Mridha taking 2 for 34 and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby 2 for 40.

The exit undid Sri Lanka’s early successes putting skipper Sineth Jayawardena’s team in a must win peril going into the fixture against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s loss to hosts UAE marked a significant tournament turnaround with the hosts making it to the semi-finals following its consecutive win defeating Japan by 107 runs with unbeaten Bangladesh with three wins right up there for the championship grabs.

UAE posted a massive 320 for 7 wickets and restricted a brave Japan to 213 for 4 wickets in their 50 overs.

Bangladesh’s Wasi Siddiquee came tops with the ball claiming 3/ for 32 with Maruf Mridha taking 2 for 34 and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby 2 for 40.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka U19 199/9 (50 Overs) (Pulindu Perera 28, Ravishan de Silva 21, Sineth Jayawardena 25, Dinura Kalupahana 20, Rusanda Gamage 24, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Vishwa Lahiru 25, Ruvishan Perera 19, Maruf Mridha 2/34, Wasi Siddiquee 3/ 32, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby 2/40)

Bangladesh U19 204/4 (40.5 Overs) (Ashiqur Rahman Shibli 116, Chowdhur Md Rizwan 32, Ahrar Amin 23, Garuka Sanketh 2/56)