KATHMANDU, Dec 5: Sri Lanka’s U-23 cricket team decimated Bhutan national cricket team by 173 runs in the third match of the ongoing 13th South Asian Games (SAG) held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka mounted a total of 248 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs after Bhutan won the toss and invited the winning team of the day to bat first. Bhutan was bowled out on 75 runs in 18.4 overs chasing the sumptuous target of 249.
Sri Lankan opening batsman Pathum Nissanka blasted his way through 48-ball 76 runs which included eight boundaries and two sixes to give his team a flying start. Captain Charith Asalanka played a perfect foil to player-of-the-match Nissanka scoring 25 runs off 15 deliveries which included four boundaries. Similarly, wicket-keeper batsman Nishan Madhuska added more misery to Bhutan bowlers, piling 65 runs off 38 deliveries which included 10 boundaries and a six. Kamindu Mendia then scored 27 runs off 11 deliveries which included four boundaries and a six to help Sri Lanka post 248 runs in 20 overs. Shammu Ashan and Ashen Bandara stayed unbeaten on 14 runs each.
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Bhutan’s Thinley Jamtsho, Karma Dorji, Tenzuk Wangchuk and Tobden Singye shared a wicket each.
Ranjung Dorji top-scored for Bhutan scoring 22 runs off 15 deliveries which included three boundaries. Sonam Tobgay was the other double-digit scorer of the innings with 10 runs off 29 deliveries.
Asitha Fernando, Duvindu Tillakratne Bandara and Mendis shared a wicket each for Sri Lanka whereas Jehan Daniel and Sachindu Colombage picked up two wickets each to seal the match.
Sri Lanka will face the Maldives on Thursday whereas Nepal will host Bhutan on same day.
Ban U-23 seals first win
Bangladesh U-23 sealed its first win of the SAG cricket defeating Maldives by 109 runs. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first adding a total of 174 runs in 20 overs for the loss of four wickets. Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 49 runs which included a four and three sixes. Bangladesh captain Soumya Sarkar chipped in with 46 runs off 33 deliveries which included four boundaries and two sixes. Maldives’ Ibrahim Hassan, Azyan Farhath and Mohamed Mahfooz shared a wicket each.
Bangladeshi bowlers made short work of the defense dismissing Maldives for 65 runs in 19.2 overs. Tanvir Islam picked up five wickets whereas Minhajul Afridi and Afif Hossain shared two wickets each.
Maldives will face Sri Lanka U-23 on Thursday whereas Bangladesh U-23 will face host team Nepal on Saturday.
The top-two teams after the single round robin will vie for the gold medal on Monday.
