Ashan, Daniel script Sri Lanka victory

A century from Shammu Ashan followed by an impressive spell of fast bowling from Jehan Daniel helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a rain-affected Youth ODI in Hambantota.

Ashan came in with his team at 50 for 3 and helped hold the innings together with an 86-run partnership with captain Charith Asalanka, who contributed 65 off 75 balls. Sri Lanka's recovery though was dented when Asalanka was removed in the 34th over. With the score at 136 for 4, Pakistan would have hoped to put the squeeze on, but Ashan held firm at one end to record 103 off only 112 balls, despite hitting only four fours and two sixes. He was unable to prevent Sri Lanka being bowled out before their full 50 overs as seamers Sameen Gul and Arfan Liaqat two two wickets apiece to keep the hosts down to 239 in 49.4 overs.

However, the Pakistan chase began poorly. They lost their openers by the sixth over courtesy Daniel, who had figures of 5-2-8-2. The rest of the bowling attack were also very miserly - all of them cost less than 4.5 per over - and that pressure told on the opposition. Pakistan fell well behind the required rate, and were 92 for 4 in the 30th over when rain put a halt to proceedings. They were ruled 37 runs short by the Duckworth-Lewis method and go 0-1 down in the five match series