Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Monday, 2 December 2024 01:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sharujan Shanmuganathan celebrates his century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup Under-19 match
Wicket-keeper/batsman Sharujan Shanmuganathan scored a brilliant century to propel Sri Lanka to the semi-finals of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup when they beat Afghanistan by 131 runs in convincing fashion in a Group B match played at Sharjah yesterday.
Batting with composure and playing shots with extraordinary precision Shanmuganathan was the mainstay of the batting compiling 102 off 132 balls (7 fours) in Sri Lanka’s total of 243-7.
With Pulindu Perera who scored 53 off 80 balls (5 fours), Shanmuganathan added exactly 100 for the second wicket after Sri Lanka lost Dulnith Sigera for a duck in the first over.
It was back to back stellar performances from Shanmuganathan who starred in Sri Lanka’s 55-run win over Nepal on Friday scoring 62.
When it came to Afghanistan’s turn to bat Sri Lanka bowlers made early inroads into their batting to reduce them to 54-5 in 16 overs.
A partnership of 48 between Hamza Khan (32) and Nazifullah Amiri (33) lifted Afghanistan to 102-5. But the Sri Lanka spinners came into play in the latter half of the innings to bowl Afghanistan out for 112 and earn themselves a splendid victory. With this win Sri Lanka heads Group B with two wins from 2 matches which assures them a place in the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka play the other unbeaten side in the group Bangladesh on 3 December at Dubai in their game where both teams have qualified for the semi-finals.
Scores: Sri Lanka (Under-19) 243-7 (50) (Pulindu Perera 53, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 102, Vimath Dinsara 26, Mohammad Ghazanfar3/35)
Afghanistan (Under-19) 112 (28.2) (Hamza Khan 32, Nazifullah Amiri 33, Newton Ranjithkumar 2/28, Viran Chamuditha 2/14, Praveen Maneesha 3/16, Vihas Thewmika 2/10)
