Bens-Joes opening bowling combination of Geethal Malinda and Jehan Daniel excelled for Sri Lanka under 19s on day two against Pakistan under 19s in the second Youth Test at Hambanthota International Cricket Stadium.
The visitors were jolted early on by the two right-arm seamers as they were 3 down for only 6 runs.
Josephian seamer, Daniel’s 10-over spell was very accurate as he was mostly concentrating on bowling wicket to wicket. He claimed the wickets of Zeeshan Malik and Umair Masood from his new-ball burst while Geethal sent Abdullah Shafique back to the pavilion in the first ball of the innings. Both openers, Shafique and Malik faced only one ball each.
Left-hander Hamza Khan resurrected the Pakistani innings compiling a valuable stand of 103 with Hasan Mohsin. Khan was run-out by Asalanka after scoring a patient 201-ball 81 with 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Right-handed lower-order batsman, Mohsin stroked an invaluable 60 to save the visitors from a certain follow-on.
Tall and lanky fast-bowler from St. Benedict’s, Geethal Malinda came back in two spells to remove Mohommad Umar and Hasan Mohsin.
Skipper Charith Asalanka captured 2 wickets as well for the hosts’ with his off-spin.
Pakistan youth outfit were 212 for 9 when bad light ended play on Sunday evening with almost 15 overs lost.
Earlier on Saturday, Sri Lanka made 305 on the back of another stylish Charith Asalanka ton and Jehan Daniel’s half-century.
The game will be continued tomorrow (12th October) for the final day.
Sri Lanka U19 – 305 all out in 87.4 overs: Charith Asalanka 124, Jehan Daniel 51, Sammu Ashan 35, Lakshina Rodrigo 37, Sameen Gul 3/56, Hayathullah 3/81.
Pakistan U19 – 212/9 in 74.5 overs: Hamza Khan 81, Hasan Mohsin 60, Mohommad Umar 29, Geethal Malinda 3/26, Jehan Daniel 2/18, Charith Asalanka 2/34.
