Afghanistan thrash Sri Lanka by 62 runs

Afghanistan put up a strong batting performance racing to 298 to beat Sri Lanka by 62 runs in a Tri-Nations U-19 match played under lights at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Choosing to bat first Afghanistan came out with all guns blazing as Haroon Khan (88 off 59 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes), Khalid Taniwal (45 off 52 balls) and Kamran Hotak (43 off 33 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) took the Sri Lankan bowling apart with only spinners Vishwa Lahiru and Trevin Mathew escaping punishment. Pacies Duvindu Ranatunga (4/51) and Dinura Kalupahana (3/52) were Sri Lanka’s most successful bowlers.

Sri Lanka’s run chase never took off as they slumped to 115-7 and only some resolute batting by the lower order – Vishwa Rajapaksa (45 off 46 balls, 7 fours, 1 six), Duvindu Ranatunga (46 off 50 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Treveen Mathew (34 off 57 balls, 3 fours) saw them reach 236. Sri Lanka’s batting was snuffed by pacemen Yama Arab (4/41) and Khalel Ahmed (3/55).

The Afghan bowlers were guilty of sending down 26 wides out of a total of 34 extras which also helped swell Sri Lanka’s total.Scores: Afghanistan (U-19) 298 (49.2) (Suliman Arabzai 20, Sohil Khan 34, Numan Shah 26, Haroon Khan 88, Khalid Taniwal 45, Kamran Hotak 43, Duvindu Ranatunga 4/51, Dinura Kalupahana 3/52)

Sri Lanka (U-19) 236 (40.5) (Sineth Jayawardene 41, Vishwa Rajapaksa 45, Duvindu Ranatunga 46, Treveen Mathew 34,z Yama Arab 4/41, Khalel Ahmed 3/55, Kamran Hotak 2/29)