Sri Lanka defeat Afghanistan, meets India in U-19 Asia Cup final on Sunday

Sri Lanka under 19 defeated Afghanistan by 31 runs during their ACC under-19 semifinal match and set up final against India at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla national stadium on Friday.

Chasing to a target of 210, Afghanistan were all out for 178 in 48.3 overs.

The Afghanistan top-order made a promising start while chasing as at one stage they were 113 for 2 after 31 overs but the Sri Lanka spinners kept their line and length tight to check the runs.

But the Sri Lankan bowlers turned the match in their favour after 30 overs as Afghanistan lost six wickets within 30 runs in the middle period. From 113 for 3 Afghanistan were reduced to 140 for 8 by the 42nd over.

Eventually, the Afghans were all-out for 178 runs with nine balls to spare. Captain Rahmatullah was the top scorer with 46 runs while Ijaz scored 37 for Afghanistan.

Left-arm spinner Shashika Dulshan took four wickets for the Lankans conceding just 24 runs while Kalhara Senarathne and Navod Paranavithana took two wickets each.

Earlier, Sri Lanka scored 209 runs losing seven wickets in their stipulated 50 overs. Sri Lanka had a terrible start as both their openers went back to the pavilion without scoring a run.

But number four batsman Nuwanidu Fernando played a superb innings and scored 111 off 129 balls to guide his team to past 200. The right handed batsman struck eight fours and three sixes during his brilliant innings and was the last batsman to get out in the last ball of the innings.

The middle-order for Sri Lanka clicked with Kalana Perera (22), Nipun Dananjaya (27) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (19*) making good contributions along with centurion Fernando to post a challenging total.

Abdul Rahman took three wickets for Afghanistan.

The final match between India and Sri Lanka will be held in Mirpur on Sunday.