Sri Lanka U19 got off to a winning start in the ICC Under-19 World Cup defeating Zimbabwe U19 by 39 runs on the DLS in their opening fixture in South Africa marred by bad weather having run up 204 off 48.3 overs after being sent in to bat by their opponents at the Diamond Oval, Kimberley. Zimbabwe, set a revised target of 129 in 22 overs under the DLS, was bundled out for 89 in 21.1 overs.
Sri Lanka’s match winner was Dinura Kalupahana who scored 60 off 55 balls hitting 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. Other run getters were Sharujan Shanmuganathan who struck a run a ball unbeaten 41 inclusive of 3 boundaries, Rusanda Gamage 31 off 59 with a boundary and Ravishan de Silva 31 off 89 containing a six and a boundary.
Zimbabwe’s batsmen came a cropper against the Lankan attack with Malsha Tharupathi claiming 4 wickets for 17. He was well supported by Ruvishan Perera 2 for 2, Vishwa Lahiru 2 for 12, Garuka Sanketh 1 for 8 and Dinura Kalupahana 1 for 25 who was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka U19 204 (48.3 Overs)
(Dinura Kalupahana 60 55 6 2, Ravishan de Silva 31 89 1 1, Rusanda Gamage 31 59 1, Sharujan Shanmuganathan n.o. 41 40 3, Ravishan Perera 12, Kohl Eksteen 3/40, Matthew Schonken 2/36, Newman Nyamhuri 2/50, Panashe Taruvinga 1/9, Anesu Kamuiwo 1/12, Ryan Simbi 1/40)
Zimbabwe U19 (T: 129) 89 (21.1 Overs)
(Matthew Schonken 27, 19, 0, 1, Campbell Macmillan 12, Ronak Patel 12, Nathaniel Hlabangana 10,
Malsha Tharupathi 4/17, Ruvishan Perera 2/2, Vishwa Lahiru 2/12, Garuka Sanketh 1/8, Dinura Kalupahana 1/25)