Sri Lanka ‘A’ defeat Bangladesh ‘A’ to enter semi-finals

Thursday, 24 October 2024 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Eshan Malinga (cap in hand) celebrates Sri Lanka ‘A’s victory over Bangladesh ‘A’

Player of the Match Dushan Hemantha receives his award

ACC Men’s Emerging

Teams Asia Cup

Sri Lanka ‘A’ captained by Nuwanidu Fernando entered the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup when they defeated Bangladesh ‘A’ by 19 runs in their final Group A fixture at Oman on Tuesday.

Match winner for Sri Lanka ‘A’ was leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha who returned figures of 3/23 to pick up the Player of the Match award.

With Afghanistan ‘A’ having already qualified for the semi-finals from the group, this game was vital to both teams with the winner coming through to the last four.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ winning the toss and batting first put up a total of 161-7 courtesy a 64-run partnership between Sahan Arachchige (30) and Pavan Rathnayake (42 off 26 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes).

Bangladesh ‘A’ was off to a blazing start with openers Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain posting 59 in the first powerplay. But unfortunately for Bangladesh ‘A’ Saif who had struck 3 sixes in his score of 29 was forced to retire hurt with a leg injury, and the momentum was broken. Hemantha coming to bowl in the middle overs wrecked the Bangladesh ‘A’ batting picking up three wickets as they slumped to 117-7 in the 17th over, a position from which they could not recover despite a valiant effort by Abu Hider who struck 3 sixes and a four in his 38* off 25 balls.

Fast bowler Eshan Malinga bowled a splendid final over conceding just 3 runs when Bangladesh required 23, to seal the match in Sri Lanka ‘A’s favour.

With this win Sri Lanka ‘A’ topped Group A with a better run rate (0.833). Afghanistan ‘A’ (0.212) finished second. Both teams had 4 points each with 2 wins and 1 loss.

The two semi-finalists from Group B will be decided after their final group games on Wednesday. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday and the final for Sunday.

Scores: Sri Lanka ‘A’ 161-7 (20) (Yashodha Lanka 23, Lahiru Udara 35, Sahan Arachchige 30, Pavan Rathnayake 42, Ripon Mondol 2/36, Rejaur Rahman 2/35)

Bangladesh ‘A’ 142-7 (20) (Saif Hassan rtd ht 29, Parvez Hossain 24, Abu Hider 38*, Dushan Hemantha 3/23)