Pargat, Srimantha shine in Canada’s win

By M. Shamil Amit   

Opening batsman Pargat Singh and Srimantha Wijeyaratne shone with half tons in Canada’s 40-run win against the Sri Lanka Under 19 team in the limited over encounter played at the P Sara Stadium.   

The two batsmen retired with Singh making 80 in 79 balls inclusive of seven boundaries and three sixes while Wijeyaratne hit a 61- ball knock of 57 with four boundaries and two sixes.
The pair put on a 132-run stand for the second wicket for Canada taking first lease of the wicket to make a score of 213 runs which was curtailed to 35 overs.   

The Sri Lanka Under 19 team in their run chase underwent an early setback as they lost their first wicket with three on the board before Sineth Gunawardana who made a top score of 84 in 86 balls which had 12 boundaries came to their rescue putting on two partnerships, first of 44 runs for the second wicket with Vishen Helambage and the other of 64 runs with Dinura Kalupahana for the fourth wicket.   

But with the separation of the pair Sri Lanka Under 19 lost wickets at regular intervals as right arm spinner Harsh Thaker who bagged five scalps cleaned up the tail to bowl them out for 166 runs for Canada to record their first win of the four-match tour.   

At P Sara Stadium – Canada won by 40 runs

Canada 213 for 6 in 35 overs (Pargat Singh 80rtd. Srimantha Wijeyaratne 57rtd, Aaron Johnson 21: Dinura Kalupahana 2 for 29)   
Sri Lanka Under 19 166 in 30.2 overs (Sineth Jayawardena 84, Dinura Kalupahana 41, Shevon Daniel 18: Harsh Thaker 5 for Ammar Khalid 2 for 12)