ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2024: Sri Lanka U19 top Group B by Beating Bangladesh U19 in thriller

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In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka U19 triumphed over Bangladesh U19 by 7 runs to top Group B in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup 2024.

This closely contested match saw both teams give their all, but it was Sri Lanka who held their nerve in the end, defending a modest target of 229 despite a 95-run knock from Bangladesh opener Kalam Siddiki. Vimath Dinsara, meanwhile, scored a century in the first innings.

Sri Lanka U19 won the toss and opted to bat first, setting a challenging target for Bangladesh. The Lankan innings was dominated by a stellar century from Dinsara, who scored 106 runs. Dinsara's century was the backbone of Sri Lanka's total, guiding them to 228 all out in 49.2 overs. His composed innings included 12 boundaries and was instrumental in ensuring his team posted a competitive total.

However, Bangladesh U19 did not back down easily. They got off to a solid start, with Kalam Siddiki leading the charge. The opener played a valiant knock, falling just 5 runs short of a well-deserved century, finishing on 95. Siddiki's knock was filled with elegant strokes, and he almost single-handedly kept Bangladesh in the hunt. However, despite his efforts, Bangladesh faltered in the chase, losing wickets at crucial moments.

Vihas Thewmika was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka U19, claiming 3 wickets for 31 runs in his 10 overs. His spell was critical in breaking the momentum of Bangladesh's chase, as he removed key players at vital stages of the game. Rizan Hossain also played his part, taking 3 wickets for 40 runs, further tightening Sri Lanka's grip on the match.

Bangladesh's middle and lower order could not hold on as the required runs mounted. Despite a valiant effort from Siddiki, they were bowled out for 221 in 49.3 overs. Al Fahad was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 4 wickets for 50 runs, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide in their favour.

The match ended with Bangladesh's final wicket falling, leaving them short by 7 runs. Sri Lanka U19's win ensures they finish top of Group B, while Bangladesh, despite the loss, will progress to the semifinals. This narrow victory highlights the resilience of Sri Lanka, with Dinsara's century and their bowlers' discipline proving decisive.