ACC Under-19 Cup 2016: Day 1 Round up

India U-19 began their title defense in the ACC Under-19 Cup 2016 in a spanking fashion defeating minnows Malaysia by a staggering 235 runs margin. The defending champions have been placed in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Malaysia while Group B consists of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Singapore. The tournament kicked off today and we have already completed 4 matches.

The matches will be played at the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Galle International Stadium and Uyanwatta Stadium in Matara.

Bangladesh v Afghanistan

The first match of the competition was played between Afghanistan and Bangladesh where the Bangla Tigers prevailed by 4 wickets in a nail-biting encounter. Batting first Afghanistan posted a meager 146 on the board with Qazi Onik of Pakistan claiming 4/22 to derail the Afghan innings. Though Pakistan stuttered during the run chase they eventually chased it down with 41 balls to spare. Opener Saif Hassan was the top scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 67.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan Under-19s 146 all out (Nisar Wahadat 32, Qazi Onik 4/22)

Bangladesh Under-19s 150/6 ( Saif Hassan 67*, Zahir Khan 2/21) in 43.1 overs

Bangladesh U19 won by 4 wickets (with 41 balls remaining)

India v Malaysia

The 2nd match of the day was played between India and Malaysia where India emerged victorious by 235 runs. Winning the toss and batting first, the defending champions posted a competitive 289 on the board. Opener Prithvi Shaw was the top scorer for the Indian colts with a brisk 89 of 79 balls and was well supported Abhishek Sharma and Het Patel who chipped in with crucial half-centuries. Kamlesh Nagarkoti was brilliant with the ball and finished with figures of 4/12 as Malaysia was skittled out for a mere 54 runs.

Brief Scores:

India Under-19s 289/8 in 50 overs (Prithvi Shaw 89, Muhammad Amir 3/33)

Malaysia Under-19s 54 all out ( Arjun Thillanathan 14, Kamlesh Nagarkoti 4/12)

India U19 won by 235 runs

Pakistan v Singapore

It was yet another mismatch in the 3rd match of the tournament as Pakistan thumped Singapore by 9 wickets and 249 balls to spare. Pakistan won the toss and asked Singapore to bat. Apart from the openers, no one really got going as they were bowled out for 78 runs in just over 25 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the leading wicket taker for Pakistan finishing with 3/27 in 7 overs. Pakistan chased down the target without any fuss as Mansoor Ali remained unbeaten on 56. It was a morale-boosting victory for Pakistan ahead of the tougher matches.

Brief Scores:  

Singapore Under-19s 78 all out in 25.1 overs (Rohan Rangarajan 22, Shaheen Shah Afradi 3/27)

Pakistan Under-19s 80/1 in 8.3 overs (Mansoor Ali 56*, Janak Prakash 1/15)

Pakistan U19 won by 9 wickets (with 249 balls remaining)

Sri Lanka v Nepal

The last match of the day was played between hosts Sri Lanka and Nepal which the hosts won by a solitary run. It was a nail-biting thriller as the Lankans just managed to scrape past their unfancied hosts by one run. On the back of a brilliant 83 by Hasitha Boyagoda, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 227 on the board in their allotted 50 overs. Kamal Singh Airee was the wrecker in chief for Nepal who finished with 3/43 in 8 overs.

Despite stuttering in the initial stages of the innings Nepal kept themselves in the hunt with lower order contributions but eventually fell agonizingly close. Dipendra Singh Airee scored a brilliant 90 to keep the hopes of Nepal alive but after his dismissal, it became very tough for Nepal.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka Under-19s 227/8 in 50 overs (Hasitha Boyagoda 83, KS Airee 3/43) 

Nepal Under-19s 226 all out in 49.3 overs (DS Airee 90, Kamindu Mendis 3/37)

Sri Lanka won by 1 run