The Sri Lanka Under 19 team led by Sineth Jayawardena once again faced a batting slump, losing to Bangladesh by 6 wickets and exiting the semi-finals in the Asia Cup Under-19 Cricket Tournament in Dubai yesterday.

Sri Lanka, despite back-to-back victories over UAE and Bangladesh, experienced a batting struggle throughout the tournament. The loss to UAE marked a turning point, as the home team secured their semi-final slot with a second consecutive win over Japan by 107 runs with unbeaten Bangladesh who won all three matches to come on top of the points table after the league round.

UAE posted a massive 320 for 7 wickets, while Japan managed 213 for 4 wickets in their 50 overs.

Sri Lanka made two changes for yesterday’s game, Dinuka Tennakoon the leg spinner from Trinity and paceman Ravishan Perera from Ananda in place of opener Hirun Kapurubandara and off-spinner Vihas Thewmika.

However, Sri Lanka could only muster 199 for 9 wickets in their 50 overs which wasn’t enough against a strong Bangladesh side. Bangladesh opener and wicketkeeper Ashique Rahman Shibli played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 116 in 130 balls, with 11 fours and 2 sixes, guiding his team to victory with 9.1 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen, including openers Pulindu Perera and Ravishan de Silva, added 37 runs in 8.2 overs but failed to turn it into a substantial total. Maruf Mirida made the early breakthrough sending Pulindu back for 28 in 29 balls (4 fours) in the ninth over while debutant Ravishan de Silva was out for 21 in 37 balls with a four and a six.

Skipper Sineth Jayawardena batsman no.3 contributed 25 runs in 30 balls with 3 fours and a six while all-rounder Dinura Kalupahana made 20 in 39 balls.

The debutant Ruvishan Perera who batted at number 9 made a quick 19 in 20 balls with 2 fours and a six but that was not enough to pass the 200-run mark. In the bowling department, Bangladesh leg spinner Wasi Siddiquee was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 32, while Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Maruf Mridha took two wickets each.

During Bangladesh’s chase, aside from Ashiqur Shibil’s century, Chowdhur Rizwan (32), and Ahrar Amin (23) played good supporting roles. Sri Lanka’s paceman Garuka Sanketh was the standout bowler, taking 2 for 56, while Malsha Tahrupathi and Vishwa Lahiru took one wicket each.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka Under 19s: 199/9 wickets in 50 overs (Pulindu Perera 28, Ravishan de Silva 21, Sineth Jayawardena 25, Dinura Kalupahana 20, Rusanda Gamage 24, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Vishwa Lahiru 25, Ruvishan Perera 19, Maruf Mridha 2/34, Wasi Siddiquee 3/ 32, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby 2/40)

Bangladesh Under 19s: 204/4 in 40.5 overs (Ashiqur Rahman Shibli 116, Chowdhur Md Rizwan 32, Ahrar Amin 23, Garuka Sanketh 2/56)