Bangladesh Under-19 team made a poor start in the five-match youth ODI series when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against host Sri Lankan U-19 team in their first match held on Sunday at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.
Thanks to Charith Asalanka for his all-round performance that helped the Lankans to take a lead in the series. His 4 wickets for 36 runs was instrumental in restricting Bangladesh to 202 after the visitors opted to bat first. Asalanka then followed it up with 63 as Sri Lanka cruised to the target with 5.4 overs to spare.
The visitors started poorly. When Asalanka dismissed Zakir Hasan in the 18th over, Bangladesh were 51 for 3. An 80-run stand between Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mehedy Hasan rescued Bangladesh from debacle, but two quick wickets in the 35th and the 37th overs again stalled their progress. Nazmul was stumped in the 40th over, bowled by Asalanka, and Bangladesh were later bowled out in the 50th over.
Sri Lanka’s brisk start to the chase suffered a minor jolt in the seventh over when opener Kaveen Bandara was run out but Asalanka and Lasith Lakshan added 124 for the second wicket to thwart the Bangladeshi bowlers. Although Lakshan (71 off 107) and Asalanka were dismissed within the space of 12 balls, Sri Lanka remained untroubled.
The two sides will play the second youth ODI scheduled to be held today (Tuesday) at the same venue.
