Sri Lanka cruise into U-17 final

Karachi, July 22: Sri Lanka scored a relatively easy win over Bangladesh to cruise into the final of the Under-17 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament at the National Stadium here on Saturday.

The islanders' opponents for Tuesday's final will be decided tomorrow when hosts Pakistan face the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in the second semi-final.

Sri Lanka, who were sent in by Bangladesh skipper Nafees Iqbal, built their score of 214 around a solid opening stand of 71 between Ishan Mutalip (36 off 82 balls with four fours) and the left-handed Haresh Ratnayake (32 off 60 balls with two fours).

The impetus to the Sri Lankan innings was provided by Man-of-the-Match Jeewan Mendis, who made 42 off 41 deliveries with four boundaries. Mendis and all-rounder Prasad Ranawaka (28 off 21 balls with three fours) were involved in a sixth-wicket partnership of 50 in 36 balls as the final 10 overs of the innings realized 87 runs.

Bangladesh, in reply, made a decent start as they reached 113 for three in the 29th over. However, fine bowling by Sri Lankan skipper Jehan Jayasiriya, who captured three for 36 with his off-spinners, and a spate of run outs resulted in Bangladesh losing their last six wickets for 49 runs.

Diminutive opener Mohammad Ashraful was impressive as he stroked his way to 48 off 88 balls before he was fourth out. His knock included just one boundary.

Ashraful and Nasiruddin Faruque (30 off 55 balls with four fours) put on 61 for the third wicket.

The only other notable scorer for the losers was all-rounder Shariful Islam with 32 off 40 balls