Emerging Teams Asia Cup: SL hold on for glory

The Sri Lanka U-23 team were crowned champions after defeating their Indian counterparts by three runs in a thrilling ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup final at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

Sri Lanka posted 270 after electing to bat first, riding on an 82-run second-wicket stand between Hasitha Boyagoda and Avishka Fernando before the former was dismissed for 54. Afterwards, Kamindu Mendis's 55-ball 61 helped the hosts reach the competitive total.

India suffered a batting collapse in chase, losing six wickets for 127. A 107-run seventh-wicket partnership restored some faith before an unbeaten 15-ball 28 from Atit Sheth almost took India over the line.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SRI LANKA U-23: 270 for seven in 50 overs (Mendis 61; Rajpoot 2-61)

INDIA U-23: 267 for nine in 50 overs (Yadav 71; Gunaratne 3-38)

Result: Sri Lanka U-23 won by 3 runs.