India sink Sri Lanka as Aparjith shines with ton

1975

India Emerging XI overcame Sri Lanka Emerging XI by 35 runs in the Sri Lanka’s emerging XI Asia-Cup campaign opener, which worked off today at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka emerging team skipper Angelo Perera won the toss and invited India emerging team to have a bat first as Indian opener Shivam Chowdhary made a solid start as he made 67 ball 55 to give India a solid beginning.

Skipper Baba Aparjith and dashing right-hander Hanuma Vihari put on 119 runs for the fourth wicket to gain momentum to the Indian innings.

Aparjith went on score a magnificent 91 ball 100 that included 6 boundaries and 3 maximums, while Hanuma Vihari made a classy half ton to guide the India emerging team to a formidable 288 for 9 in their 50 overs.

Left-arm spinner Amila Aponso was the pick of the bowlers as he completed 10 overs grabbing 2 scalps for 42 runs and he was ably supported by right-arm seamer Chamika Karunarathne who managed to get 2 wickets to his name as he gave away 57 runs in 10 overs.

Right-arm quick Asitha Fernando, off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga took one wicket apiece for the islanders.

Chasing a victory target of 289, Sri Lanka lost their opening batsmen Ron Chandraguptha in the first over without troubling the scorers and a few overs later, Sadeera Samarawickrama for 13. However, left-hander Shehan Jayasuriya along with Charith Asalanka put up 89 runs for the 3rd wicket as Jayasuriya made a brisk 64 off 60 balls.

Stylish middle-order batsman Charith Asalanka who anchored the innings for the islanders, but he was unfortunately dismissed by Kanishk Seth for 68 runs.

All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga had a late surge low down the order as he made 38 off 36 deliveries. Ashwin Crist and Kanishk Seth shared six wickets to restrict the Lankans as India completed a 35-run win over Lankans.

Brief scores

India U23 – 288/9 (50) Baba Aprajith 100, Shivam Chowdhary 56, Hanuma Vihari 56, Amila Aponso 2/42, Chamika Karunarathne 2/57.

Sri Lanka U23 – 253/10 (48.2) Charith Asalanka 68, Shehan Jayasuriya 64, Wanindu Hasaranga 38, Kanishk Seth 3/53, Aswin Crist 3/55.

Result – India emerging XI won by 35 runs