Shanmuganathan century as Sri Lanka U19 thrash Afghanistan to qualify for Asia cup semi finals
Sri Lanka Under-19 team who did well to beat Nepal in their lung opener, came up with a sterling performance against the much fancied Afghanistan Under-19 team as they thumped the favourites by a huge margin of 131 runs in the Asia Cup league 50 over game at Sharjah yesterday.
With this comprehensive win, the Island team has qualified for the Semi finals alongside Bangladesh in their death over group consisting of favourites Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The other group looks easier with Japan. UAE , India, and Pakistan .
Today, India, who lost to
Pakistan, in their group game, play Japan whilst Pakistan compete against a strong UAE outfit at Dubai today.
If Pakistan beat UAE, the defending Under 19 Asia Cup champions, they too will march to the Semi finals alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who have already qualified for the Semi final spot.
India, the 6-time winner in this competition, is expected to outplay Japan after which they will play the UAE to secure their spot in the semi-finals, which is envisaged.
Sri Lanka was batting first yesterday after winning the toss made 242 for 8 wickets set a par target of 243 against the much fancied Afghanistan who were beaten by Bangladesh in their lung opener by 34 runs.
Left-handed Surujan Shanmuganathan, the Sri Lankan one drop bat batted through the innings held the batting together for a match winning 101 that secured him the man of the match award. Shanmuganathan is fondly known as little ” Sanga ” also made another match winning knock of 67 against Nepal in the lung opener.
The left-handed prodigy who hails from St Benedicts College, Kotahena, was ably supported by Pulindu Perera, who opened the batting for Sri Lanka, a stalwart of Dharmaraja College, Kandy who compiled a well structured innings of 53 whilst stiching a 100 run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Afghanistan had no answer to the quality of spin, which, in fact, is their own medicine and were undone for 112 runs that raised the eyebrows of the pundits who expected the 243 target to be overhauled without let or hindrance.
Leg spinning Manisha Praveen, a product of Lumbini College who has a Wanindu Hasaranga type googly, scalped 3 for 16 that saw Sri Lanka get home convincingly to secure the semi final spot.
