Sri Lanka face tough India in semis
Sports Reporter
Sri Lanka set up a semi-final clash against India after a brilliant 95-run knock of opener Avishka Fernando engineered their comprehensive six-wicket victory over England in the third quarter-final of ICC U-19 World Cup at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Fernando almost single-handedly steered the side home in just 35.4 overs after their bowlers bowled England out for mediocre 184 in 49.2 overs. His 96 ball-95 was studded by 11 fours and one six.
The opener helped the side get off the chase in fluent start as he, aided by his fellow opener, Kaveen Bandara combined for a 76-run stand which made the chase a one-way traffic. Both of the openers grew with confidence as English bowlers lacked penetration to cause a breakthrough. Only a run out dismissal was only the solution to keep the opener apart and that fetched them the first wicket when Bandara who made 22, was dismissed, being run out.
Dan Lawrence then gave them a glimmer of hope by removing Kamindu Mendis to leave Sri Lanka 102 for two. A regular strike could make England favourite but the aspiration was dashed by skipper Charith Asalanka who joined upbeat Fernando to take the side on the verge of victory.
Saqib Mahmood, the best bowler of England in the tournament finally was rewarded with his persistence when he claimed Fernando and deprived him from a deserved century. But Sri Lanka was on 171 by then to keep them a subtle distance of the victory. Asalanka after scoring 34 was also removed when his side was just three runs away of the victory.
Leg-spinner Wanidu de Silva and fast bowler Asitha Fernando wrecked the havoc in powerful English batting line up which scored heavily in the group phase. But when they were up against a sub-continent, they couldnt replicate the performance.
De Silva scalped three for 34 while Asitha Fernando snapped up two for 16.
Dan Lawrence and Jack Burnham who struck two centuries in the group phase made just 8 and 11 runs respectively. Lawrence was the first batsman to be out, leaving the scoreboard 13 while his fellow opener Max Holden followed him after a while. Burnham seemed to have held together the innings but his dismissal left England in precarious 47 for three.
Culluam Taylor resisted and got a support from George Bartlett but no one could carry on the start. While Taylor was out on 42, Bartlett made 25. Sam Curran also got the start but he too failed after contributing 25.
Ben Green with 26 and skipper Brad Taylor with 22 helped the side propel past 150 which seemed to be a striking distance at one point of the game. But the target that they set wasnt enough to win a match against a sub-continent team.
Meanwhile in the 13th place play-off semi-final, Ireland comfortably beat Canada by six wickets at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Coxs Bazar. Sent into bat first, Canada were shot out for 139 in 48.2 overs with Rory Anders taking four for 21.
Canada zoomed to the target making 142 for four in 34.3 overs. Gary McClintock who claimed two wickets, scored an unbeaten 31 to script the sides victory.
