India, Pakistan, SL live up to billings

The favourites made a high flying start to the ICC Under-19 World Cup at different venues across the country yesterday, showing the vast difference between the ICC elite and associate countries.

Tournament favourite India trounced Ireland, the replacement of Australia, by 79 runs at Sher- Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka made a mockery with Canada to seal a 196-run win at Sylhet District Stadium while Pakistan romped to a comprehensive six-wicket win over neighbouring Afghanistan at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
In Group B game, Pakistan U-19 never allowed Afghanistan to create any chance of dominating them. The damage was done early on, as Shadab Khan and Hasan Mohsin combined to take seven wickets and elicit a spectacular collapse as Afghanistan stumbled from 98 for three to be bowled out for 126 in the 42nd over. Pakistan reached the winning mark in 31.1 overs by losing four wickets.
Pakistan lost captain Gauhar Hafeez for 1, but Zeeshan Malik (29) and Mohammad Umar (25) set the innings back on course. The rest of the chase was a canter as Pakistan stormed to the target in the 32nd over. Zia-ur-Rehman picked up two wickets while Rashid Khan, who has already represented Afghanistan on the international stage, claimed one victim.
In another Group B game, the match between Sri Lanka and Canada was huge mismatch. Riding on four half-centuries from skipper Charith Asalanka (76), Shammu Ashan (74*),  opener Kaveen Bandara (61) and Vishad Randika (51), Sri Lanka racked up a gigantic 315 for six in 50 overs. The bowlers then bowled in disciplined manner to skittle Canada out for 119 in 39.2 overs.
Ireland fought with the might of India through Lorcan Tucker and William McClintock but couldn’t get over the line. They were bowled out for 189 in 49.1 overs after India posted a respectable 268 for nine.
The day couldn’t have been begun more perfect way for Ireland as they struck in the third ball of the innings to remove India’s opener and captain Ishan Kishan for naught. Kishan’s fellow opener Rishab Pant survived some horrified moment in the crease but Rickey Bhui gave the Indian’s a reason to cherish. He steadied the ship, playing with utmost confidence even though Pant remained uncomfortable. Pant and Bhui however were dismissed in the consecutive to overs to leave the side a precarious 48 for three, Sarfraz Khan rescued the side and set the tune with his fluent 70 ball-74, studded with seven fours.
Sarfraz saw Armaan Jaffer’s dismissal after he tried to get his set in the crease. He then shared a 110-run for the fifth wicket with Washington Sundar who made 62 off 71.  Zeeshan Ansary then hit a run-a-ball 36 to help India propel past 250.
McClintock struck 58 while Tucker scored 57 but no one stand tall apart from the duo. Medium fast bowler Rahul Batham scythed down the Irish batting line up by snapping up three for 15.

India, Pakistan, SL live up to billings

The favourites made a high flying start to the ICC Under-19 World Cup at different venues across the country yesterday, showing the vast difference between the ICC elite and associate countries. Tournament favourite India trounced Ireland, the replacement of Australia, by 79 runs at Sher- Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka made a mockery with Canada to seal a 196-run win at Sylhet District Stadium while Pakistan romped to a comprehensive six-wicket win over neighbouring Afghanistan at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. In Group B game, Pakistan U-19 never allowed Afghanistan to create any chance of dominating them. The damage was done early on, as Shadab Khan and Hasan Mohsin combined to take seven wickets and elicit a spectacular collapse as Afghanistan stumbled from 98 for three to be bowled out for 126 in the 42nd over. Pakistan reached the winning mark in 31.1 overs by losing four wickets. Pakistan lost captain Gauhar Hafeez for 1, but Zeeshan Malik (29) and Mohammad Umar (25) set the innings back on course. The rest of the chase was a canter as Pakistan stormed to the target in the 32nd over. Zia-ur-Rehman picked up two wickets while Rashid Khan, who has already represented Afghanistan on the international stage, claimed one victim. In another Group B game, the match between Sri Lanka and Canada was huge mismatch. Riding on four half-centuries from skipper Charith Asalanka (76), Shammu Ashan (74*), opener Kaveen Bandara (61) and Vishad Randika (51), Sri Lanka racked up a gigantic 315 for six in 50 overs. The bowlers then bowled in disciplined manner to skittle Canada out for 119 in 39.2 overs. Ireland fought with the might of India through Lorcan Tucker and William McClintock but couldnt get over the line. They were bowled out for 189 in 49.1 overs after India posted a respectable 268 for nine. The day couldnt have been begun more perfect way for Ireland as they struck in the third ball of the innings to remove Indias opener and captain Ishan Kishan for naught. Kishans fellow opener Rishab Pant survived some horrified moment in the crease but Rickey Bhui gave the Indians a reason to cherish. He steadied the ship, playing with utmost confidence even though Pant remained uncomfortable. Pant and Bhui however were dismissed in the consecutive to overs to leave the side a precarious 48 for three, Sarfraz Khan rescued the side and set the tune with his fluent 70 ball-74, studded with seven fours. Sarfraz saw Armaan Jaffers dismissal after he tried to get his set in the crease. He then shared a 110-run for the fifth wicket with Washington Sundar who made 62 off 71. Zeeshan Ansary then hit a run-a-ball 36 to help India propel past 250. McClintock struck 58 while Tucker scored 57 but no one stand tall apart from the duo. Medium fast bowler Rahul Batham scythed down the Irish batting line up by snapping up three for 15.