Aich’s 86 in vain
Despite a battling 86 from Aich Mollah, the visiting Bangladesh Under-19 suffered a heavy 42-run defeat against their Sri Lankan counterparts in their first of five Youth ODIs in Dambulla yesterday.
Chasing a modest 228 for nine, a batting collapse saw the young Tigers bundled out for 186 in 46.2 overs.
Bangladesh got off to a decent start in their chase, but the fall of openers Mahfijul Islam and Iftikher Hossain in successive overs saw them reduced to 31 for two after 10.3 overs.
Sri Lanka's Shevon Daniel then removed Prantik Nawrose Nabil and SM Meherob in the same over, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 35 for four after 14 overs.
After that, Ariful Islam and Aich started rebuilding, stitching together a 70-run fifth-wicket stand. However, Ariful was run-out in the 31st over after a 67-ball 38.
Aich, who struck nine boundaries during his 93-ball knock, did not receive much assistance from others as Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Aich was the last man to depart as Bangladesh started their tour of Sri Lanka with a crushing defeat.
Earlier, following a stuttering start, an 88-ball 67 from Pawan Pathiraja and contributions from Sadisha Rajapaksa (28 off 58), Raveen de Silva (29 off 47) and an unbeaten 15-ball 25 cameo at the death from Yasiru Rodrigo saw the hosts post a modest total.
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