Sri Lanka youth girls clinch tri-series title
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Sri Lanka's young cricketers beat Bangladesh Under-19 by 4 runs in the final of the Under-19 girls' tri-nation Twenty20 cricket tournament played at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Pakistan, to win the title this afternoon (16th).
Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 158 for 6 at the end of their allotted 20 overs, while Bangladesh, in reply, could manage only 154 for 7 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka thus took the title after a keen contest in which the winner was not decided until the final over.
Opening the batting, Sanjana Kavindi stood out as she compiled 64 runs off 44 balls to make the biggest batting contribution of the match. Her innings, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes, gave Sri Lanka a solid platform to reach a competitive total.
Vimoksha Balasooriya, who opened the innings alongside Sanjana, made 23 runs off 15 balls with 5 fours. That opening stand paved the way for Sri Lanka to score quickly.
Nethmi Upeksha then contributed 22 runs off 25 balls, while Umayangana Peiris remained unbeaten on 28. Her innings, off 23 balls, included 2 fours and a six, and that contribution was important in keeping the scoring going in the closing overs. Danodya Sewmini made 15 runs off 11 balls.
Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Thithi Das Aparna stood out by conceding just 15 runs in 4 overs. Although she did not take a wicket, she restricted the Sri Lankan batters from lifting the scoring rate.
Chasing a target of 159, Bangladesh did not get off to a good start. Both openers were dismissed with the score on 4, and when Nishita Akter Nishi fell as the fourth wicket the scoreboard read 88.
However, captain Sadia Islam and Sadia Akter came together to pile heavy pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Sadia Islam made 59 runs off 35 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. Her attacking innings revived Bangladesh's hopes of victory.
Sadia Akter joined that fight with 35 runs off 22 balls. With her innings, which contained a four and 3 sixes, Bangladesh mounted a strong push for victory in the latter half of the match.
Even so, the Sri Lankan players managed to take wickets at crucial moments and check their opponents' progress. Chamudi Prabodha's 2 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs was a standout performance in the Sri Lankan bowling innings. Chamodi Herath also took 2 wickets for 32 runs, while Danodya Sewmini claimed one wicket for 23 runs.
Bangladesh still had a chance of victory going into the final over, but the Sri Lankan players did not loosen their grip and the opposition innings was restricted to 154. With that tight 4-run win, the Sri Lanka Under-19 girls claimed the title.
Sri Lanka Under-19 girls – 158 for 6 (20 overs) – Sanjana Kavindi 64, Umayangana Peiris 28 not out, Vimoksha Balasooriya 23, Nethmi Upeksha 22, Danodya Sewmini 15, Farjana Esmin 32/1, Nishita Akter Nishi 41/1, Jannatul Ferdous 34/1, Afrin Mim 35/1.
Bangladesh Under-19 girls – 154 for 7 (20 overs) – Sadia Islam 59, Nishita Akter Nishi 32, Sadia Akter 35, Farjana Esmin 11, Chamudi Prabodha 17/2, Chamodi Herath 32/2, Danodya Sewmini 23/1.
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting