Sri Lanka Under 17 team fought back strongly to level the one day series when they beat Bangladesh Under -17 by 6 wickets in the second game played at Chattogram yesterday.
Sri Lankan team led by Rehan Peiris lost the first game by 78 runs at this same venue but they showed superb all round performance to win the second game to keep the series alive and deciding third game will be played on Friday (12) at the same venue.
Sri Lanka chasing a target of 195 made a brisk start adding 30 runs in just three overs by openers Rehan Peiris and Arosha Sithumina. Rehan started with a six and was first to depart scoring 18 in 11 balls with 2 fours and six and off spinner Jarif Siyam made the breakthrough to dismiss Rehan while wicket keeper Saurav Karmakar took a catch in 4 th over. However Arosha Sithumina and Hirun Matheesha made a good tone adding 80 runs for the second wicket partnership. Sithumina reached his fifty in 63 balls with 6 fours and a six finally bowled by leg spinner Rakibul Hossan in 23rd over.
The left hander Matheesha joined Jason Fernando (24) and the pair added further 45 runs third wicket stand to build up the innings Matheesha was the hero making a superb unbeaten knock of 80 in 136 balls with 6 fours to seal the victory with 4.1 overs to spare.
Earlier Bangladesh decided to bat first and scored 194 all out in 46.5 overs. Their opener Jairf Siyam top scored 52 in 65 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes also added 55 run second wicket stand with Adrito Ghosh the first match centurion who was out scoring 19 in this game and that prize wicket was taken by leg spinner Himaru Deshan. The paceman Minagu Nethsara made an early breakthrough to pick up both openers Jarif Siyam and Mohammed Naiem wickets and finished with 3 for 38 while leg spinner Himaru Deshan was once again among the wickets taking 3 for 33 in his 7.5 overs spell The off spinner Manitha Rajapaksa took 2 for 24 to play a good supporting role to contain Bangladesh to 194 all out with 3.1 overs to spare. Sri Lanka made four changes yesterday as two pacemen Minagu Nethsara, Nadun Bandara and spinners Kenula Philiyanga and Puljith Wathsuka came to the side in place of Chanul Koditiuwakku, Gimhan Mendis, Stevon Peiris and Lahiru Lakmal.
Two teams will meet in their third and final game on Friday (12) at the same venue.
Chief scores
Bangladesh U 17s 194 all out in 46.5 overs (Jarif Siyam 52, Mohammed Naiem 15, Adrito Ghosh 19, Akash Roi 25, Rakibul Hossan 17, Junayed Hossain 20, Faiyaz Rahman 15, Fahim Hassan 10, Minagu Nethsara 3/38, Kenula Piliyanga 1/31,Puljith Wathsuka 1/37, Himaru Deshan 3/33, Manitha Rajapaksa 2/24)
Sri Lanka U 17s 195 for 4 wickets in 45.5 overs (Rehan Peiris 18, Arosha Sithumina 50, Hirun Matheesha 80*, Jason Fernando 24, Sanul Weeraratna 15*, Jarif Siyam 2/35, Rakibul Hossan 2/17)