Sri Lanka lose first U-19 ODI to Afghanistan by 50 runs

A splendid 67 off 61 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) by Captain Shevon Daniel and an impressive spell of leg-spin bowling from Malsha Tharupathi (4/31) failed to bring Sri Lanka victory as they lost the first of two Under-19 ODI matches against Afghanistan by 50 runs at the Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka did well to keep the Afghanistan batting down to a total of 232 in 45.2 overs courtesy of fifties from openers Wafiullah Tarakhil (68 off 50 balls, 6 fours, 5 sixes) and Jamishid Khan (57 off 84 balls, 6 fours) who put on 96 for the first wicket. Numan Shah contributed a useful 64 off 66 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes) before Tharupathi got into the act to stage a collapse as Afghanistan lost their last seven wickets for 73 runs.

With Daniel in supreme form Sri Lanka batted themselves into a winning position reaching 169-3 at the halfway stage. But the loss of Daniel’s wicket at a crucial period of the game saw Sri Lanka’s last six wickets fold up tamely for 13 runs to be all out for 182 in 30.2 overs. The lower order batting was destroyed by leg-spinner Khalil Ahmed who finished with five wickets for 38.