Eighteen-year old Isipathana opening batsman Salinda Ushan stroked a stylish and unbeaten century for Sri Lanka under 19s against Bangladeshi junior tigers in their drawn 2nd youth Test at Pallekelle International Stadium.
The second three-day match was hampered by rain throughout the course of the match and due to bad weather in both matches, the two-match series ended without a result and the trophy was shared by both countries.
Bangladesh skipper Mehedy Hassan won the toss of coin and elected to bat first on a gloomy Monday morning. Bangladesh opening pair of Saif Hassan and Shadman Islam laid a solid foundation by putting on 90 runs before the hosts took the first wicket thanks to a run-out. Shadman’s knock of 66 comprised 10 elegant boundaries. Lankan spin duo of Damitha Silva and Nishan Peiris grabbed a wicket apiece to trouble the visitors and few more wickets fell at the end of day one as Bangladesh ended first day on 168 for 5 in 73 overs.
Only 10 overs were possible on day two as persistent rains continued to keep the youngsters indoors. As the game recommenced on day three, Bangladesh lost few more wickets to the seam bowling pair of Trinitian Lahiru Kumara (2 for 60) and Roylist Himesh Ramanayake (4 for 43 as the visitors slid into a deep hole at 196 for 9 before declaring their innings.
Sri Lanka juniors in reply lost opening batsman Nushan Weerasinghe early on for 6. Isipathanian Salinda Ushan and Richmondite Charith Asalanka resurrected the hosts with a crafty innings of 79 as both left handers timed the ball perfectly. Charith was dismissed by Bangladeshi skipper Mehedy Hassan for 37. The Lankan skipper Avishka Fernando failed to make an impact as he went back to the pavilion for 19. Salinda continued his merry run with the bat with his delicate yet patient style of batting. Nalandian all-rounder Malinga Amarasinghe and Salinda boosted the Lankan innings above the visitors total with a timely stand of 85 for the 4th wicket.
As the game finally ended, Salinda stood strong at the crease on 112 which came in 245 balls and his brilliant knock consist 13 fours and a six. Sri Lanka under 19s ended the match on 228 for 5 in 84 overs. Salinda was adjudged Man of the Series and Man of the Match for his aggregate 189 runs in two innings.
Chief Scores:
Bangladesh U19 – 196 for 9 declared in 85.4 overs: Shadman Islam 66, Joyraz Sheik 31, Himesh Ramanayake 4/43, Lahiru Sudesh 2/60.
Sri Lanka U19 – 228 for 5 in 84 overs: Salinda Ushan 112*, Charith Asalanka 37, Malinga Amarasinghe 31, Mehedy Hassan 2/59.
