Sri Lanka finish sixth after defeat to Pakistan

Pakistan U19 skipper Qasim Akram’s all-round performance paved the way for his side to record a massive 238-run win against Sri Lanka U19 in the fifth-place play-off encounter of the ICC U19 World Cup cricket tournament played at North Sound, Antigua.

Sri Lanka U19’s decision to bowl first sensationally backfired as Pakistan U19 racked up a massive 365 for 3 in their 50 overs, building on a 134-run opening wicket partnership between Muhammad Shehzad and Haseebullah Khan.

Khan made a top score of 136 in 151 balls inclusive of nine boundaries and two sixes, and along with Akram put on a second-wicket partnership of 229 in just 153 balls.

Akram was more aggressive, his 135 coming in only 80 balls, with 13 boundaries and half a dozen sixes.

The Pakistan skipper then ran through the Sri Lanka batting, always under pressure chasing a massive target, bagging the top five wickets, leaving Sri Lanka U19 tottering on 41 for 5 in the 1e1th over.

Despite an unbeaten knock of 53 coming from Vinuja Ranpul who added 50 runs for the eighth wicket with Sri Lanka skipper Dunith Wellalage, Sri Lanka U19 slumped to a low score of 127 runs in 34.2 overs.

At North Sound – Pakistan Under 19 won by 238 runs

Pakistan U19 365 for 3 in 50 overs (Haseebullah Khan 136, Muhammad Shehzad 73, Qasim Akram 135 n.o.: Matheesha Pathirana 2 for 62)

Sri Lanka U19 127 in 34.2 overs (Dunith Wellalage 40, Vinuja Ranpul 53 n.o.: Qasim Akram 5 for 37)