Sri Lanka take title in thriller
Kithuruwan Vithanage was the hero for Sri Lanka Under-19s as they took the tri-series by pipping Pakistan Under-19s by one wicket in a last-ball finish at the P Sara Oval
Cricinfo staff
08-Dec-2009
Kithuruwan Vithanage was the hero for Sri Lanka Under-19s as they took the tri-series by pipping Pakistan Under-19s by one wicket in a last-ball finish at the P Sara Oval.
Vithanage made a nerveless 82-ball 75 to orchestrate Sri Lanka's chase of 210. The last six home side batsmen contributed only 28 runs, leaving Vithanage to do much of the scoring from 98 for 5. Sri Lanka struggled to stitch together substantial partnerships - there were six stands worth between 26 and 35 - but Vithanage stood firm to finish the job. He was also helped by the indisciplined Pakistan bowling, which sprayed 16 wides.
Sri Lanka's lower order, though, did a better job than their Pakistan counterpart. The visitors' captain, Azeem Ghumman, made a measured 65 to take the side to 134 for 2, an ideal platform. However, with none of the other batsmen crossing 25, the last six wickets went down for 38 runs.