Pakistan colts take the fourth game too
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Pakistan's youngsters recorded a 93-run win in the fourth one-day game against the touring Sri Lanka Under-17 team as well, and today (21st) sealed the five-match one-day series with a game still to spare. The Pakistan side thereby moved into a 3-1 lead in the series. Ahsan Ahmed's brisk batting and Amar Khan's bowling stood out in Pakistan's victory in this match.
Batting first in this match at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the Pakistan Under-17 side put together 273 for 9 at the end of their allotted 50 overs. Chasing that target, the Sri Lanka youngsters were bowled out for just 180 in 42.3 overs.
Sri Lanka's top scorer Reshan Solomons made 64 off 97 balls with five fours. Captain Stevaughn Peiris scored 33 and Sandaru Malshan 29.
Set a target of 274, Sri Lanka lost their first three wickets with just 23 on the board, and the fall of the fourth wicket at 52 left the young side in deep trouble. However, Stevaughn Peiris and Reshan Solomons came together for the fifth wicket and put on 48 runs to give the innings some stability.
Sandaru Malshan then joined Solomons and added 68 for the sixth wicket, reviving Sri Lanka's hopes. Once that partnership was broken, though, the Pakistan bowlers wrapped up Sri Lanka's last four wickets for just 12 runs.
Leading the Pakistan attack, Amar Khan turned in a standout performance with three wickets for 44 runs in his 10 overs. Fahad Iqbal and Mohammad Saim claimed two wickets each to help seal the Pakistan win.
Winning the toss and batting first, Mohammad Yousuf gave the Pakistan innings a strong start with 60 off 91 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while opener Dawood Taqeer made 44 off 62 balls with four fours. The contributions of these three batters allowed Pakistan to set a competitive target against Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lanka, Tharuka Samanjith, Kalindu Sachinthana and Sashith Bandara each picked up two wickets.
The final match of the five-game one-day series between the two countries is scheduled for the 24th of this month. The Pakistan youngsters have managed to seal the series even before that game is played.
Pakistan Under-17 – 273/9 (50 overs) – Ahsan Ahmed 82, Mohammad Yousuf 60, Taqeer Rana 44, Hamza Abbas 14, Mohammad Saim 18, Tharuka Samanjith 41/2, Kalindu Sachinthana 42/2, Sashith Bandara 47/2
Sri Lanka Under-17 – 180 (42.3 overs) – Reshan Solomons 64, Stevaughn Peiris 33, Sandaru Malshan 29, Methuka Gunaratne 10, Shashith Bandara 14, Amar Khan 44/3, Fahad Iqbal 31/2, Mohammad Saim 34/2
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting