Sri Lanka U-19 clinch L/O series 3-2

The Sri Lanka Under-19 Team scored a convincing 165-run win over Pakistan Under-19 to clinch the five-match Limited Over series 3-2 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi today.

Sri Lanka Under-19 frontline batters clicked together to post a handsome 293 for nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs after being sent into bat.

Sri Lanka Skipper Sineth Jayawardene led from the front with a stylish 82 in 69 deliveries with 11 fours and three sixes. Inform batsman Rusanda Gamage lent a big hand to the skipper to associate in a stand of 81 runs for the fourth wicket scoring 67 runs coming off in 64 deliveries with five fours.

Earlier, opening batsmen Pulindu Perera (47) and Ravishan de Silva (23) gave the Lankans a promising start by putting on 64 runs for the first wicket which made the batsmen to follow their task easy.

In reply, the young Pakistanis were bundled out for 128 runs as their bowlers combined together to make run-getting a tough job for the home side.

Vihas Thewmika (3 for 12), Malsha Tharupathi (3 for 12), Vishwa Lahiru (2 for 29) bowled best and were supported by Garuka Sanketh (one for 21) and Dinura Kalupahana (one for 21).

Arafat Minhas was the only Pakistani batsman to cope well with the on-the-spot bowling of the Lankans scoring a fighting 57 with seven fours. (LR)

Chief Scores:

• Sri Lanka Under-19: 293 for 9 in 50 overs (P. Perera 47, R. De Silva 23, S. Jayawardene 82, R. Gamage 67, D. Kalupahana 17, U. Shah 2/55, N. Ibtisam 2/51)
• Pakistan Under-19: 128 in 32.3 overrs (A. Minhas 57, G. Sanketh 1/21, V. Thewmika 3/12, D. Kalupahana 1/21, V. Lahiru 2/29, M. Tharupathi 3/12).