|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 21 February 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Sri Lanka in Super League, Australia downunder RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh, Friday. Sri Lanka qualified to play in the Super League despite going down to the defending champions Australia by two runs in their final group 'A' match of the ICC under 19 Youth World Cup at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium here today. Chasing a total of 186 runs from 50 overs Sri Lanka were dismissed for 184 in the first ball of the 50th over. But on the net run rate Sri Lanka moved into the second round and emerged champions from group 'A'. Their first target was 97 runs which was the required amount to reach the Super League. They made a disastrous start to their run chase losing the first four wickets with only ten runs on the board. However skipper Farveez Maharoof joined Kaushal Silva and the pair took the Lankans closer to their target adding 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Silva played some delightful shots during his knock of 46 from 69 balls with the help of one six and four boundaries. The six which he hit off paceman Henriques was a tremendous blow and he followed up by pulling the very next delivery to the mid wicket boundary. Together with Maharoof they took a risk by picking up some quick singles while adding more pressure on the Australians. Maharoof came into the crease at a vital stage of the innings but settled down beautifully to play a captain's knock of 56. His first scoring stroke was a well executed cover drive and from there onwards he entertained the full house of 20,000 spectators with a mixture of power and scientific stroke making. Maharoof however got somewhat carried away and lost his concentration losing his wicket in the 35th over while attempting a big hit from the bowling of Stephen O'Keefe. His knock of 56 came from 90 deliveries and included eight hits to the ropes. Gihan de Silva and Kosala Kulasekera further consolidated their position with a useful 52 run partnership for the 8th wicket. The pair kept the score moving without taking any risk and brought the Lankans within 17 runs from their victory target. But the Australians fought back magnificently through some superb fielding to capture the last three wickets without conceding any run and pull off a thrilling match at the end. Kosala Kulasekera who made 30 from 38 deliveries was run out in the 49th over leaving the last pair of Sudeera De Zoysa and Manoj Chanaka to score the three runs for victory in the final over. However Chanaka played the first ball of the 50th over straight into the hands of Stephen O'Keefe giving Australia a consolation win at the end. Australia despite their victory were eliminated from the Super League and will now move towards Chittagong to compete in the Plate championship. Sri Lanka who emerged group 'A' champions qualified to play in the Super League along with the group runners up Zimbabwe. Australia who were put into bat recovered from an early set back to make a challenging total of 186 runs from the 50 overs. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
